Diarrhoea is 2nd leading cause of mortality in children- Prof. Faduyile.

By Steve Ovirih.

Prof.Dayo Faduyile, OON, former Special Adviser on Health to Ondo State Government has drummed attention to the need for people to be aware of diarrhoea, stressing that it is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old. The Health expert said when the stooling contains blood, it is dysentery, maintaining that passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day is symptomatic of diarrhoea.

Prof. Faduyile, who was recently inaugurated by the Federal Government as the Chairman of Governing Council, Federal College of Education, FCE Kotangora, noted that diarrhoea is common in the rainy season because of faeces contaminated water in flood which is a recurring decimal in this season.

In an exclusive health discourse with the former NMA President, Prof. Faduyile while talking about the common causes of diarrhoea said, “it is a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection which arises from poorly prepared food, contaminated food and water as well as poor personal hygiene.”

While highlighting the steps to be taken to ensure prevention and treatment, Prof. Faduyile said there should be proper preparation of food while foods should be properly handled especially vegetables and fruits. He advised that people should imbibe safe drinking water at all times as this exposes people to challenge of diarrhoea. ” Let us practice good hand washing with soap habit and good personal and food hygiene.

” Let us pay attention to the immediate use of oral rehydration solution while IV fluids should be used in severe dehydration or shock. It is also important that patients of diarrhoea infection use drugs as exactly prescribed by the physician,” Prof. Faduyile added.

The Professor of Pathology and Forensic Medicine emphasized that diarrhoea is a deadly disease and one should consult a doctor before the patient’s health condition degenerates.