Diarrhea in children: campaign reaches 30,000 in Benue

-

Posted by Isaac Eranga, Award winning Health Journalist

A multi-pronged campaign in Benue state, Nigeria, aims to stop preventable child deaths from diarrhea by reaching diverse audiences with important prevention and treatment information. Local government leaders, faith leaders, farmers, motorcycle taxi drivers, and informal law enforcement groups are among some of the groups reached.

More than 200,000 children in Nigeria die each year from diarrhea-related illness, and most communities in Benue state have seen diarrhea-related deaths.

The “Push Diarrhea Away” campaign uses thought leaders and community volunteers to help spread the message that ORS and zinc should be used to treat uncomplicated diarrhea in children under 5. The campaign has reached nearly 30,000 people through road show performances, advocacy visits to rulers of all 23 local government areas in the state, and an official campaign launch event with speeches from well-known public figures. At the launch, Dr. Cecilia Ojabo, state commissioner for health and human services, advised the audience on the eradication of diarrheal disease through handwashing, improved quality of drinking water, environmental cleanliness, and avoiding open defecation.

The state’s first lady, Dr. Eunice Ortom, attended the launch event and was recognized as an ORS and zinc champion. In a ceremonial gesture, Dr. Ortom handed batons to wives of local government leaders in Benue State, asking that they be ORS and zinc advocates. She charged them to spread the message of the appropriate treatment for diarrhea. More than 60 other volunteers were recognized at the event. Dozens of young children attended, wearing shirts emblazoned with the campaign name.

“We should endeavor to integrate ORS and zinc messages into our various activities . . . at [the] grassroots level to facilitate a quick scale-up of this intervention and sustain good practices of diarrhea treatment at [the] household level to save the Benue child,” said Dr. Ortom.
SHOPS Plus is working to improve country ownership and ensure sustainability of this ongoing communication campaign.

Dr. Eunice Ortom, first lady of Benue state (right), shares a word with Justice Mary Abounu, wife of the deputy governor. | Photo credit: Aleva Shiaondo Fidelis

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Canada Fitness Hunt Carnival and Competition commences in Benin

-
Image
By Our Correspondent Cross-section of Coaches in an extraordinary meeting in Benin All is now set for the commencement of the Canada World Fitness Hunt Carnival and Competition (CWFHCC) bid to hold from February 23 to December, 2024 in Benin City, the Edo State capital. The competition which will feature different sports such as Football, Performing Musicians, Board Games, and lots more, is meant to promote fitness and wellness of communities across Nigeria.  According to the CEO of Canada World Hotels- Chief Dr. Omogiade J. O. Edokpolo, the competition which is in partnership with Edo State Sports Commission, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Edo State chapter, Hotman Stinburge Etobicoke Canada, EBENCO Global Link Limited, Global Travels Ontario Canada, Folton Sports Equipments- St. Catrines Ontario Canada, Edo Progressive Indigenous Association (EPIA), and thers, will also feature celebrity guests and judges, music, comedy, games, fitness parade, and lots more. He sa
Read more

Edo Man O' War hold 2024 Commanders' Retreat

-
Image
... Unveiled political culture of non-violence public sensitization campaign for Edo 2024 Gubernatorial Election The 2024 State Commanders Retreat and Workshop of Man O' Nigeria, Edo State Command has been held in Benin. The retreat whose theme was "Optimizing the Potentials of Volunteers towards enhancing Nationl Security", featured presentations by several resource persons. The retreat also featured the unavailing of political culture of non-violence public sensitization campaign for Edo 2024 Governorship Election by the State Commandant- Amb. Odunze C. Eberechukwu. While delivering a presentation, the Deputy State Commandant Training, Operations and Rescue- DMC Onoha Uchena Kelly highlighted the importance of Commanders and members training in the discharge of their duties. According to him, one cannot embark on a journey he or she don't know about, hence the need for training and retraining. "Training can be both technical and vocational. The technical traini
Read more

The Man Godwin Obaseki: Getting the Job Done - Chris Osa Nehikhare

-
Image
There is no iota of doubt, irrespective of political differences, that Governor Godwin Obaseki has significantly improved State Competence, relative to his predecessors and across the States in the Country.  To achieve this, he had to rescue the State from private capture by ruthless non-State actors; this freed up public resources for public purposes.  He has held himself to a very high ethical and work-ethics standards, scrupulously focusing on the interests of the real people whilst staying on the Constitutional tracks in line with his oath of office. As a result, it was difficult to derail or defeat him despite uncountable battles in the judiciary and in other political machinations, orchestrated from high quarters.  Edo State is not yet on the mountain top, it still needs concerted push to avoid a free relapse or rollback.  The quality, intensity, ruggedness, doggedness and character of the next Governor is therefore so crucial that those lining up for the job should critically as
Read more