KARACHI, May 14: Sindh Health Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed has directed EDOs Health of all 23 districts to ensure that health care facilities in their respective jurisdiction have adequate provision for anti-diarrhoeal medicines.

Referring to the cases of diarrhoea reported in interior parts of the province, the minister told APP on Monday that public sector facilities across the province had all required medical support to treat the cases of gastroenteritis.

Medicines were easily available and the required medical interventions were simple but these must be stressed to prevent avoidable conditions as dehydration, he said.

“Medical interventions are being supplemented with provision for public education,” Syed Sardar Ahmed said.

He mentioned that EDOs Health in Sindh had also been directed to launch a public awareness drive to protect people against possible outbreak of gastroenteritis. He said that directives had been issued to EDOs Health to ensure that the masses were sensitized and motivated to protect themselves against seasonal ailment which could be fatal.

The health minister observed that health care professionals, NGOs and media could educate mothers about the importance of breast-feeding as mothers’ milk provide natural protection to the babies against infections.

Consumption of boiled water, freshly cooked food (kept in clean and properly covered utensils) could help prevent the ailments, he said and advised people to consume fresh vegetables and fruits.

With regard to government efforts for prevention, he said EDOs were providing free of cost ORS sachets and chlorine tablets to the people of remote villages and rural areas through lady health workers.—APP