ChatGPT said:
In a determined effort to protect young children’s health, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Tuesday launched the “STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2025.” The campaign, spanning two months, focuses on combating childhood diarrhoea—a major, yet entirely preventable cause of death among children under five. As part of the launch, the Minister also released informational posters to raise public awareness.
“Diarrhoea continues to claim the lives of many children, yet every such death is preventable,” Dr. Balbir Singh stated. “This campaign represents our commitment to saving every child through increased awareness, prevention, and timely medical response.”
He announced that the Health Department will implement the Prevent-Protect-Treat (PPT) strategy, particularly during the high-risk monsoon season. As part of the initiative, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) will conduct door-to-door distribution of ORS-Zinc kits. In addition, ORS-Zinc Corners will be established at all government health centers and Anganwadi centers, while healthcare staff will receive enhanced training to handle diarrhoea cases more effectively. “Every health facility will be equipped with ORS, Zinc, IV fluids, and antibiotics—no child should die from a condition that is treatable,” he emphasized.
Focusing on prevention, Dr. Singh highlighted the importance of community engagement. The campaign will promote essential hygiene practices like handwashing, safe drinking water, exclusive breastfeeding, improved sanitation, and routine immunization. “Diarrhoea can be prevented through clean hands, clean water, and prompt care,” he urged, calling upon Panchayati Raj institutions, teachers, parents, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to join the movement.
He further noted that the campaign is being supported by cross-departmental collaboration involving the Departments of Education, Women and Child Development (WCD), Water and Sanitation, and Rural Development. “This is not merely a health challenge—this is a collective mission to safeguard the future of Punjab,” Dr. Balbir Singh asserted.
Urging citizens to stay alert, he advised keeping surroundings clean, using safe drinking water, and starting ORS-Zinc treatment immediately if diarrhoea occurs, along with seeking medical assistance. He also encouraged the consumption of traditional hydrating drinks like shakanji (lemonade), emphasizing the critical role of fluid intake during diarrhoea.
In another health initiative, the state signed an MoU under the National Rabies Control Programme with animal welfare NGO Peedu, based in SAS Nagar. This partnership will support the creation of a State Action Plan for eliminating rabies by 2030. It includes multi-stakeholder engagement, training for healthcare workers, and counseling at Anti-Rabies Clinics in Mohali, with plans to expand the program across Punjab.
Also present at the event were Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Director Family Welfare Dr. Jasminder, NHM Director Dr. Balwinder Kaur, Consultant JSSK Dr. Meenu Lakhanpal, SPO MCH Dr. Harpreet Kaur, SPO NRCP Dr. Arshdeep Kaur, MO MCH Dr. Harsimrat Kaur, APO MCH Dr. Diksha Sharma, and SA MCH Barun Gupta