1 March 2007
'The secret weapon against diarrhoea is plenty of water,' said Minister Uys
during a visit to the Delft Community Health Center. 'Parents of young children
must wash their hands with soap and water a few times per day and if their
children have diarrhoea then lots of water would be just the right medicine,
said Uys.
Symptoms of diarrhoea include:
* loose stools
* vomiting
* passing of a little urine
* high body temperature
* children who refuse the breast or take the bottle poorly.
Uys said that during the warm summer months and especially during February
and March, the prevalence of diarrhoea is much higher than other times and
parents must be vigilant about their children's condition. He said that the
health facilities and trained staff in the Western Cape are ready and on
stand-by to deal with problem cases fast and effectively. He has also urged
parents to take their children immediately to the nearest clinic if they
suspect them to have diarrhoea.
Every time when a child vomits or has a loose stool then they loose plenty
of water and essential salt and minerals. They can die if not treated in time
with the sufficient in-take of water, said Minister Uys.
The prevalence of diarrhoea is higher in places with poor sanitation
facilities and unhygienic drinking water. The Minister urged local government
authorities to meet their obligations to the communities as far as
infrastructure is concerned.
Minister Pierre Uys said that apart from the medical readiness of his staff,
they are also conducting an awareness campaign with increased focus on places
such as Delft, Bloekombos, Wallacedene and Khayelitsha. The awareness campaign
includes the distribution of pamphlets, information sessions to mothers at
clinics and radio adverts. In addition, hospitals during this time of the year
make available more beds for diarrhoea patients and our Red Cross Children's
Hospital is ready to handle the more acute cases.
A simple, yet effective recipe for diarrhoea is an easy sugar-salt
solution:
* Wash your hands and holder with soap and water.
* One litre clean water.
* Eight teaspoons of sugar.
* Half a teaspoon of salt.
* Mix until the sugar and salt has dissolved.
* Give the sick child the solution as often as possible.
* Give the solution as soon as the child shows any symptoms.
Minister Uys said that parents do not have to give medicines to stop
diarrhoea but can keep their children out of the health facilities if they
applied these very simple prescriptions.
Issued by: Department of Health, Western Cape Provincial Government
1 March 2007
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
