The Need

Of infectious causes of death in children, diarrhea is the second highest in the world after acute respiratory infection. Every 14 seconds, a child under the age of 5 in the developing world dies from diarrhea-induced dehydration. In India, over 1000 children under the age of 5 tragically die from diarrhea every day. While oral rehydration solution has helped in reducing mortality due to diarrhea, long lasting effects of morbidity remains a major problem leading to life-long disability in the form of growth faltering, cognitive deficits, educational performance and decreased work productivity. Systematic oral rehydration therapy in a clinical setting--begun early in the illness--coupled with education to promote prevention of diarrhea is the key.

As a result, the aim of Calcutta Kids’ Diarrhea Treatment Center is to prevent diarrhea from precipitating malnutrition, in otherwise healthy children. This is done by following the WHO diarrhea treatment guidelines combining oral rehydration and zinc therapy with intensive behavioral change communication in a clinical setting. Calcutta Kids’ Diarrhea Treatment Center focuses treatment on children below the age of 3 and treats an average of 8 children per day.