Oral Rehydration

“Diarrhoeal disease is a leading cause of under 5 child mortality and morbidity in India. It mostly results from contaminated food and water sources. MPVHA committed to promote primary health care with special emphasis on women and children.”

As per NFHS 4 (2015-16), in the state of Madhya Pradesh, 55.2% children in the last 2 weeks with diarrhoea received oral rehydration salts (ORS) and 26.6% children with diarrhoea in the last 2 weeks received zinc. Simple, affordable treatments with ORS and Zinc along with promotion of good health and hygiene can prevent most of the deaths and improve overall health of a child”.

Recently MPVHA with support of Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) implemented ORS and Zinc Project in 135 blocks of 23 districts of 4 divisions of the state i.e. Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal, and Narmadapuram in the year 2013 – 2016. The program focused on implementing innovative product promotion and delivery techniques along with forging partnerships that can efficiently increase large-scale usage. It aimed to increase use of ORS and Zinc from less than 1% to 50% in the state. Major strategy was to build the capacity of frontline workers, create the demand, educate the communities and ensure un interrupted supply of ORS & Zinc.

• Demand and supply both increased and mothers have understood the importance of ORS with Zinc.
• Rehydration therapy with the use ORS and  Zinc strengthened  for prevention of diarrhoea.
• Care givers were made aware about the importance of health & hygiene.

MPVHA from very beginning of its inception in the year 1974, has been involved in community health promotion with special emphasis on women and children. Initially started educating the community about cleanliness, nutrition and preparation of home made ORS with the help of sugar, salt and water. Later on it started building the capacity of health workers and civil society members for the use of ORS packet along with cleanliness with the support of UNICEF and Christian Aid London.