Government to curb diarrhoea deaths

Government says there is  urgent need to use available interventions to discontinue  diarrhoea related deaths in children under the age of  five if the nation is to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goal number four by end of 2015.

 Acting Kalabo District Commissioner Mwiya Inambao said this could only be a reality with improved accessibility, availability and awareness of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) /ZINC therapy as this could drastically reduce diarrhoea deaths in children.

 Mr Mwiya  said this when he officially opened a one day training workshop on the launch of a newly introduced ORS/ZINC therapy in the district called ‘Kit Yamoyo’ transition to scale adapting to challenging environments project held in the Council Chamber and organized by Keeper Zambia Foundation.

 He noted that there is need to examine more private sector initiatives such as Kit Yamoyo to scale up ORS/ZINC because better access was under-fulfilled both in Zambia and globally.

 Mr Mwiya reaffirmed government’s commitment to the reduction of maternal, new-born and child mortality by supporting interventions such as the newly introduced ‘Kit Yamoyo’ by Keepers Zambia Foundation a non- profit making organisation.

 Speaking at the close of the launch, Kalabo District Hospital Officer- in- Charge David Kabongo was happy that Keepers Zambia Foundation was on board to supplement the Ministry of Health Mother and Child Health efforts in reducing the number of children dying from diarrhoea.

 Dr Kabongo explained that it was imperative that people know that ORS/ZINC therapy was first aid to a patient and not a complete treatment.

 He was optimist that the newly introduced ORS/ZINC therapy in the district would reduce mortality among children under the age of five.