COMBAT DIARRHOEA

Diarrhoea is a major cause of death in Thailand. About 3 million people die per year, including 1,9million children.
To combat this problem a simple and inexpensive treatment was developed that helps the hydration of the victims. To do this simply dissolve a large pinch of salt and a fistful of sugar in a jug of clean water.
This medicine was the first put to the test during a cholera outbreak among refugees on India's border with Bangladesh in 1971, and has saved the lives of more than 40 million children.
Although simple, this medicine isn’t used by all of the children who need it: there are no health conditions, parents don’t learn to do it at home because sachets of the powdered mix require packaging, storage and distribution. The treatment doesn’t reduce initially a child’s stool output, leading some parents to conclude that it doesn't work, and give up. In developed countries diarrhoea is not a “disease” because it doesn’t kill, it’s just “uncomfortable”.
Despite being the cause of death of about 1 / 3 of children, the government doesn’t support the distribution of its drug, due to other diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria diseases that are more advertised, attracting more interest and money.


According to Wandee Varavithya a doctor who has treated diarrhoeal diseases for nearly 40 years in Thailand:
"This problem isn't getting the attention it deserves".