ANNUAL HEALTH BULLETIN 2004 - Ministry of Health

The National Control of Dirrhoeal Diseases Program was initiated in 1982 and program
because operational in 1984. The program was initiated in the Head Quarter because of the high
morbidity & mortality due to diarrhoeal diseases in the country.
Diarrhoeal diseases continue to be a major health problem affecting the survival of the children in
the country. As a program intensification process Bhutan in coordination with WHO had adopted a
new strategy "Integrated Management of Childhood Illness" in 2000. With this holistic approach
strategy the program expect to observe changes on reduction of morbidity & mortality in the future.
To reduce morbidity & mortality due to diarrhoeal diseases, through promotion of sanitation, hygiene
& proper case management practices.
1. To reduce deaths due to diarrhoea in children under five from 13.3% to less than 5%.
2. To reduce diarrhoeal incidence rate amongst five years of age from 21% to 10%.
3. To reduce number of episodes from 3.9 per year to less than 3 per year.
4. To enable people to become more self-reliant in prevention and management of diarrhoeal
diseases.
• Timely & equitable distribution /supply of CDD drugs & equipment.
• Strengthen capacity building for health workers including VHWs through in-service
pre-service training.
• Investigation of outbreak & use of containment measures mainly cholera &
gastroenteritis.
• Strengthen & integrate IMCIIECCD in communities to enhance knowledge & skills
required for childcare.
• Improve quality services by strengthening DTU/ORT & training of health workers,
VHWs, mothers & care givers,
• Enhance lEC activities & collaborate with relevant sectors like PHE, Health &
Religion & comprehensive School Health program.
• Conduct impact assessment & operational researches