The World ORS (oral re-hydration solution) Day being observed on Friday reminds one of the need to prevent death of children due to diarrhoea, 2,195 every day world over by launching a concerted campaign for safe drinking water, better hygienic conditions and sanitation. According to WHO diarrhoea accounts for one out of nine deaths among children and is the second important cause of fatality among the children in the under five years age group. In the case of children with HIV, it is 11 times more.
Paediatricians feel that apart from administering the retrovirus vaccination and promoting breast feeding, there is need to improve hygiene and sanitation. Secretary of Indian Academy of Paediatrics’ local branch K. Ravi Kiran Reddy and joint secretary T.V. Rao said diarrhoea drains out body fluids leading to dehydration.
