The makers of ORSL (Kenvue) have launched the ‘Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi’ initiative in collaboration with Population Services International India (PSI India). The initiative aims to reduce diarrhoea-related mortality and improve health outcomes for children in 10 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The programme is expected to reach about 5 million children over the next two years.
The project will complement the Government's ‘Stop Diarrhoea Campaign’, which strives for zero child deaths due to diarrhoea in India.
The public health programme will focus on both preventive and curative measures, with a special emphasis on children aged 0-5. Key components include enhancing awareness about diarrhoea management, training community healthcare workers (ASHAs), caregivers, and service providers, and improving access to Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and Zinc. The initiative will also promote holistic hydration solutions for children.
The initiative will be rolled out in Badaun, Mathura, Unnao, Moradabad, Gonda, Shrawasti, and Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, and Supaul, Darbhanga, and Purnia in Bihar.
Despite the World Health Organisation’s endorsement of ORS as the gold standard for treating diarrhoea, National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) shows that ORS coverage remains low, especially in Uttar Pradesh, where nearly 50% of children under 5 with diarrhoea did not receive ORS in the two weeks preceding the survey.
Manish Anandani, Managing Director, India, Kenvue, stated, “ORSL, our iconic electrolyte brand, has been advancing science around FE&E (Fluid, Electrolytes and Energy) with advanced hydration formulations. With the recent launch of Ready-to-Drink ORS-W.H.O. approved formula, we are committed to play our part in effective management of diarrhoea. With an aim to complement Government’s efforts, we are proud to launch ‘Diarrhea Se Darr Nahi’ initiative to reach around 5 million children in districts with high diarrheal cases. The public health initiative aims to create meaningful impact on the health of communities especially vulnerable children below 5 years by improving coverage of W.H.O ORS, enhancing capability building of community workers and driving partnerships with healthcare ecosystem.”
Mukesh Kumar Sharma, Executive Director, PSI India, added, "The Government’s efforts both at Centre and state in diarrhoea prevention, including promoting awareness around good hygiene practices, nutritious diets, and ORS, are commendable. PSI India, as a trusted partner of the National Health Mission, Government of India and State Governments, stands committed in increasing the coverage of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and preventing diarrhoeal deaths in India's journey towards universal health coverage. We would like to thank the Government of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and Kenvue in advancing preventive and curative diarrhoea measures across 10 critical districts across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar."
Through this multi-year initiative, Kenvue aims to play a leadership role in tackling the issue of diarrhoea, with a focus on improving public health and reducing preventable child deaths.
