Today our topic of discussion is Care of Under Fives.
Care of Under Fives
CARE OF UNDER FIVE’S
The Rights of the Child
To meet the special need of the child, the general assembly of the United Nations adopted on 20th November 1959, the declaration of the Rights of the child. India was a signatory to this declaration.
- Right to develop in an atmosphere of affection and security and whenever possible in the care and under the responsibility of his/her parents
- Right to enjoy the benefits of social security nutrition, housing and medical care
- Right to free education
- Right to full opportunity for play and recreation
- Right to a name and nationality
- Right to special care if handicapped
- Right to be among the first to receive protection and relief in times of disaster
- Right to learn to be a useful member of society and to develop in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity
- Right to bring up in a spirit of understanding of brotherhood
- Right to enjoy these rights, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, social and national origin.
Under Five’s Clinic
The under five’s clinic or well baby clinic’s combines the concepts of prevention, treatment, health supervision, nutritional surveillance and education into a system of comprehensive health care within the resources available in the country, making use of nonprofessional auxiliaries, thus making the service not only economical but also available to a larger proportion of children in the community. Under five clinics must provide for courteous reception of mother and children, with enthusiasm and zeal on the part of each member of the team (Fig. 34.5).
Aims of Under Five Clinics
Care in illness: The basic philosophy of the under five’s clinic to give nurses effective training and responsibility for handling the child healthcare service. The illness care for children will comprise of diagnosis and treatment, X-ray and laboratory services and referral services.
Preventive care: The preventive care give on the basis of immunization, nutritional surveillance, health checkups, oral rehydration, family planning and health education.
Growth monitoring: For under five clinic to weigh the child periodically at monthly intervals during the first year, every 2 months during the second year and every 3 months thereafter up to the age of 5 to 6 years. The growth curve will help the health worker to detect early onset of growth failure.
Objectives of Under Five Clinics’
- The prevention of malnutrition, pertussis, tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and measles
- The supervision of the health of all children upon the age of five
- The education of parents to promote health and family planning
- The provision of simple treatment for diarrhea, with or without dehydration, pneumonia, skin conditions and other common disorders.
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