Jowai, Nov 15: Jowai MLA Wailadmiki launched the SAANS (Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully) campaign for the West Jaintia Hills district at Yungwalieh of Panaliar Dorbar Chnong, Jowai, on Monday evening.
SAANS is a campaign launched to ensure early detection and create awareness on pneumonia, targeting the age group of 0 – 5 years.
Deputy Commissioner B.S Sohliya, Additional Deputy Commissioner M A Challam, doctors from the office of the DM&HO, Jowai were also present.
Launching the programme, Shylla expressed his sincere gratitude towards the doctors and the health department for their remarkable efforts to organise the programme. He said this kind of programme is very important to make mothers aware of the various symptoms of diseases that their child may contract, right from start of birth, as in most cases it is seen that the children suffer malnutrition or vitamin deficiency due to their mothers being unaware of the necessity of a proper meal or diet for their child. He stressed the importance of a balanced diet for every child in order to be free from the risk of contracting any kind of diseases in future and every mother should be well informed about it.
He also mentioned that it is sad to know that most of the local people are not aware of the various medical benefits of the state government and even if they knew they are still reluctant to avail the same. He urged the residents to co-operate and work hand-in-hand with the health department and the state government for any medical scheme related benefit or programme being organised.
He also expressed his expectation for more public coverage of these kinds of awareness and urged the medical team and the health department of the District to make arrangements for such programmes in the future.
Deputy Commissioner B.S Sohliya called for cooperation from the head of the localities including Waheh Chnongs, NGOs, Seiñ Kynthai, youths of various localities and villages to work hand-in-hand with the Health workers during this campaign in order to reduce the rate of child mortality in the District.
Dr. E. War, Medical Superintendent, MCH Hospital, Panaliar, Jowai, talked about the danger signs of common childhood illnesses that every mother should be aware of. If parents notice any signs such as a child not able to eat or breastfeed, vomiting regularly, sudden weight loss, convulsion, lethargic, fever, they should take immediate action and approach the nearest health centre.
Dr. Peter Daniel Khariong, Paediatric Surgeon, Woodland WK Hospital, Sabah Muswang, in his presentation spoke about the Surgical Childhood Conditions, showing the various cases taken in treating the children suffering from various diseases and advising the parents to take timely medication if such arises.
Dr (Mrs) H. L. Suting, DEIC Manager, West Jaintia Hills, briefed on the services provided by District Early Intervention Center (DEIC), mentioning RBSK (Rastriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram) as a screening program for children since birth until 18 years of age stressing on the 4 ‘D’s – defect at Birth, deficiencies, childhood disease, developmental delays.
Dr. Helen J. Uriah, District MCH Officer, West Jaintia Hills, expressed her concern over the risk of pneumonia being contracted by children below 5 years of age and said that pneumonia is one of the challenge faced by health fraternity to combat the Child Mortality rate. She elaborated about the signs and symptoms of pneumonia and advised the parents that if they identify any such signs like shortness of breath, coughing, fever or any in a child, they should seek immediate medical help.
Dr. Helen informed that the campaign started on November 12, 2022, and will continue till February 28, 2023.
