<p>Save the Children teamed up with RB India to reduce children deaths from diarrhoea. They have jointly launched a campaign ‘IDCF 2015-Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight’ which aims at reducing child mortality rates in India; one of the prime goals of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).<br><br>Save the Children will work with the Department of Health and Family Welfare in their effort through the ground-breaking and ambitious ‘Stop Diarrhoea’ programme. Supportedby RB, the programme, for the first time will fully implement the internationally recognized 7-point plan to ensure comprehensive diarrhoea prevention, treatment and control across 4 key states - Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. The ‘Stop Diarrhoea’ program combines RB’s expertise in product development and research, and Save the Children’s experience of delivering life-saving work to help save thousands of young lives a year.<br><br>Thomas Chandy, Chief Executive of Save the Children India, said: “The IDCF is a great initiative by the government and we need to have more campaigns like this to strengthen the ongoing effort to reduce childhood mortality. It is also important for civil society organisations and corporate sector to work together with the government to mobilise communities and create awareness about diarrhoea. Our ‘Stop Diarrhoea’ programme supported by RB is being reinforced by these intensive activities. We are happy to support the government in eliminating diarrhoea as a public health burden”<br><br>Until 8th August, IDCF 2015 an initiative of the National Health Mission aims to conduct intensified activities for control of deaths due to diarrhoea across all States & Union Territories through advocacy and awareness raising activities, distribution of ORS-Zinc and promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) activities. The aim is to empower communities by improving their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices to prevent diarrhoea.<br><br>The ‘Stop Diarrhoea’ programme will provide facilities such as Zinc-ORS depots and breast feeding corners. In addition, street plays, awareness rallies, home visits for demonstrations on ORS and Zinc usage, pocket meetings with mothers, hand washing demonstrations at Anganwadi Centres and schools will also be conducted to raise awareness around diarrhoea prevention. Meetings to engage with stakeholders like government ministries, development partners and health workers will also be an integral part of the plan.<br><br>Nitish Kapoor, Chief Executive of RB India, said: “RB has been funding Save the Children programme in India since 2010 and has been able to see the real difference they have been making to the lives of Indian families. We believe that together RB and Save the Children can make a critical step towards a better understanding of water, hygiene and sanitation, which in turn will help reduce the number of children dying from diarrhoea in India.”<br><br>Childhood diarrhoea continues to be a major killer among children in India, contributing to 10.4% of under five deaths in the country, the highest death rate in the world. Around 1.4 lakhs children die due to diarrhoea annually in the country, and it is estimated that 48% of Indian children below the age of five years are stunted, with diarrhoea being one of the main causes.</p>
