Diarrhoea treatments not being used

Few countries are managing to implement the use of new diarrhoea treatments that could save many children's lives, a new study has found.

Research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health noted that nations are not taking advantage of methods such as low osmolarity oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc supplements.

This is despite the low costs of the treatments and the ease with which they can be stored.

Robert Black, co-author of the report, explained in the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation that altering health policies for children is a complex and long process.

He said: "Low osmolarity ORS and zinc are inexpensive, safe and easy to use and have the potential to dramatically lower diarrhoea morbidity and mortality,"

"Many countries have changed diarrhoea management policies to include low osmolarity ORS and zinc, but there is a significant gap between policy change and effective program implementation, leaving few children treated appropriately."

Diarrhoea is the second biggest killer of children around the globe.

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