The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) has trained 13.77 million women through National ORS Campaign in 80 districts across the country, said NCHD Chairperson Dr Nafisa Shah. Talking to APP, she said that the NCHD launched oral rehydration solution (ORS) campaign to reduce deaths caused by diarrhea which kills 41,000 children every year in the country. The main objective of the programme is to train at least one woman of every household in preparation and administration of ORS. The chairperson further said that in Pakistan, one child is dying every minute and every fifth death is caused by diarrhea or diarrhea-related problems.
Diarrhea has been identified as the major cause of child mortality in Pakistan, accounting for 30 percent of deaths each year. These child deaths could be prevented at household level by adopting simple preventive measures. She said that the WHO had recognised ORS as the single most life-saving drug of the 21st century. The NCHD;s two-pronged strategy of health education and preventive care is the most effective and appropriate method for combating, controlling and preventing diarrhea in Pakistan.
