Kenvue and PSI India expand diarrhoea awareness drive in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

'Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi' initiative strengthens frontline health systems, improves ORS access, and supports the Government's Stop Diarrhoea Campaign

Kenvue India, maker of the WHO-formula based Oral Rehydration Salts (ORSL), in partnership with Population Services International India (PSI India), has reaffirmed its commitment to combating childhood diarrhoea through its flagship public health initiative, 'Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi'.

The initiative is aimed at improving awareness, timely treatment, and access to life-saving Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and Zinc.

Aligned with Kenvue's Healthy Lives Mission and supporting the Government of India's Stop Diarrhoea Campaign, the initiative is being implemented across 16 high-burden districts in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with the goal of reaching nearly 5 million children under the age of five over more than two years.

Since its launch, the programme has reached over 23 million people and 2.5 million children under five through household visits, frontline health workers, mass media and community engagement activities. More than 5,000 community leaders and members, including Mahila Arogya Samitis in Uttar Pradesh and Aajeevika Self-Help Groups in Bihar, have also been engaged to promote diarrhoea prevention and timely treatment.

To strengthen healthcare delivery, the initiative has trained over 34,000 ASHAs, ANMs and Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), alongside more than 1,000 doctors and nurses on WHO-recommended diarrhoea management protocols involving ORS and Zinc therapy.

The programme has also improved access to essential treatment by establishing 4,970 ORS-Zinc corners across government and private healthcare facilities in the target districts while orienting more than 550 chemists as community resource points for diarrhoea prevention and counselling.

Prashant Shinde, Business Unit Head – Self Care, Kenvue India, said, "Improving child health outcomes impacted by diarrhoea requires sustained action including improved access to WHO recommended ORS solutions as well as empowering families with knowledge and access, strengthening frontline healthcare systems and driving informed health behaviours.”

“Through 'Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi' initiative, we are proud of the impact we have created so far to support the Government’s efforts along with PSI India, to ensure that caregivers not only understand the importance of ORS and Zinc but are also equipped to act quickly during incidents of diarrhoea,” Shinde added.

As part of World ORS Day celebrations on July 29, a 'Stop Diarrhoea Awareness Van' was flagged off in Lucknow in the presence of senior officials from the Directorate of Health and the National Health Mission, Uttar Pradesh. 

Mukesh Kumar Sharma, Executive Director, PSI India, said, “We are truly humbled by the recognition from Dr Pinki Jowel (IAS), MD, NHM – UP towards our efforts for the STOP Diarrhoea campaign under our Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi public health initiative. We are excited to continue this important responsibility, as we believe no child should die from such preventable disease.”