State Health Dept to distribute ORS packets at 1,000 places across TN

CHENNAI: Through the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, the State Health Department will be setting up rehydration points distributing ORS packets until June 30 at 1,000 places across the State.

Undertaken at a cost of Rs 2.17 crore, this initiative was decided during the review meeting with the Chief Secretary, as part of the heat-wave preparedness across the State.

DPH director Dr TS Selvavinayagam instructed district health officers to ensure that a corner for ORS (oral rehydration solutions) is made available in all health facilities, as dehydration results in morbidity and mortality in summer. They were asked to coordinate with the local body organising the rehydration points and make necessary arrangements for providing ORS to the public.

Officers have to also ensure that the allotted number of ORS packets per camp is available at their respective rehydration points throughout the heat wave period. The location of these rehydration points will be finalised by the local bodies and district administration soon.

With temperature spiking every day, and intense heat waves becoming frequent globally due to climate change, the resultant atmospheric conditions could adversely affect people. It could cause various Heat Related Illnesses (HRI), physiological stress, sometimes resulting in death. Thus, rehydration points are being planned across the State.

The district level officers will also ensure the availability of ORS corners with readymade ORS solution and frequent refilling once it gets empty through the block medical officer. The quality and safety of using safe drinking water should be provided by the local bodies.

To monitor the availability of ORS stock in respective districts, TN Medical Services Corporation has been asked to procure ORS to the TNMSC warehouse and make timely lift of the packets as and when required.