Diarrhea Prevention: Union Minister makes inspections, holds meetings

Union Minister of Health, Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win, along with other concerned officials, visited SanPyaU Yin Market in Thaketa Township, Yangon, on Monday.

During the visit, they inspected sales areas, shops, and the water storage and distribution system, ensuring water chlorination, supplying hand soap, erecting health education billboards, and distributing pamphlets on preventing diarrheal diseases.

Later, the Union Minister and party proceeded to No. (2) Basic Education High School for industrial, agricultural, and livestock breeding where they oversaw the purified drinking water distribution system and the cleanliness of the toilets, and handed over oral rehydration salt and hand-washing soaps to the principal. In the afternoon, the Union Minister held a meeting with Medical Superintendents and District/Township Public Health Officers of Yangon.

During the meeting, the Union Minister noted that the number of new diarrhea patients had declined in some townships due to regional government support. He urged everyone to take precautions to prevent further infections and to engage in protection and treatment activities.

He also instructed to cooperate with district and township administration teams for early diagnosis and treatment of patients and emphasized the importance of vaccination in disease prevention and control activities. To prevent disease in schools and religious places with large gatherings, the Union Minister called for regular checks on water, food, and sanitation conditions and the provision of health education. 

Furthermore, he assured that public hospitals are adequately stocked with medical supplies, laboratory tests are conducted promptly, and anyone infected with severe diarrhea receive appropriate treatment.

This was followed by sector-wise discussions among the meeting attendees, with a total of 120 health personnel participating. Also, relevant officials from the Ministry of Health, led by the Union Minister, together with other concerned officials, met at the Yangon Region Government office to enhance diarrhea prevention and control. They handed over 40 chlorine drums and 500,000 water purification tablets to the Yangon City Development Committee.