POUZN Partnering with the Nepal Ministry of Health and Population to Introduce Zinc as a Treatment for Childhood Diarrhea

The Nepalese Ministry of Health and Population Division of Child Health and Abt Associates’ Social Marketing for Diarrheal Disease Control: Point-of-Use Water Disinfection and Zinc Treatment (POUZN) project are at the forefront of international efforts to introduce zinc in the public and private sectors as a treatment for childhood diarrhea.

POUZN, working through its Population Services International (PSI) field office in Nepal, is currently developing training curricula for both public- and private-sector health care providers and pharmacists, preparing the initial logos and communication and marketing materials, and collaborating with local pharmaceutical firms who are manufacturing zinc products in preparation for an initial program launch focusing on the Kathmandu valley. It is anticipated that more than 2,600 public-sector health clinic staff and community health volunteers and more than 3,200 private-sector pharmacists and drug sellers will be trained to provide treatment and counseling to parents of children with diarrhea.