New POUZN Publication Highlights Private Sector Introduction of Zinc to Treat Diarrhea in Nepal
Integrating the new WHO/UNICEF-recommended diarrhea treatment protocols of administering zinc alongside ORS (oral rehydration salts) for pediatric diarrheas, given competing priorities, has been a challenge for ministries of health worldwide. In 2005, the Ministry of Health in Nepal took up this challenge, creating a Zinc Task Force and requesting USAID assistance through both public and private sector programs to reinforce their own efforts.
USAID’s Social Marketing for Diarrhea Control Plus: Point-of-Use Water Disinfection and Zinc Treatment (POUZN) project, implemented by Abt Associates and Population Services International, was requested to provide technical assistance in implementing this program through private sector channels. Multiple communications channels targeted caregivers and providers to ensure they understood that zinc together with ORT (oral rehydration therapy)/ORS is the appropriate treatment for uncomplicated diarrhea and they knew where to obtain zinc. Initially, no appropriate zinc products were available in Nepal, but collaboration with local pharmaceutical manufacturers resulted in three companies producing and introducing quality, affordable pediatric zinc tablets.
The POUZN program in Nepal, active in 30 districts covering 50% of the population, showed a rapid increase in zinc use. The end of project research results will be presented at the Micronutrient Forum in Beijing, China, May 2009, and are available in the new POUZN Nepal Country Brief.
