By Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterWITH GASTRO-ENTERITIS cases at the end of October soaring to 107 per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2003, the Ministry of Health will be intensifying its public education campaign in an effort to reduce the number of gastro-enteritis cases.
Rowena Palmer, public relations officer at the ministry told The Gleaner in an interview that data obtained from the ministry's surveillance system continues to show an increase in the number of gastro-enteritis cases in children under five years old.
There were, however, no reported cases of deaths at the end of October, she said.
She divulged that with the help of funding of more than $1.5 million from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the ministry yesterday commenced a public education campaign through the electronic and print media, reminding the public to take the special precaution to wash hands after using the toilet, handling diapers, before and after handling food.
The ministry, she said, has been taking the message a bit further with the training of church and community leaders islandwide by health workers who have been dispatched into the communities. Precautionary methods are also being reinforced at the primary health care facilities such as the hospitals and clinics to prevent gastro-enteritis, Ms. Palmer added.
Diarrhoea must be allowed to run its course and dehydration prevented by continuously replacing the fluid lost with coconut water, cool boiled water and oral rehydration fluids. Mothers who are breastfeeding must continue to do so, the ministry advised.
