Oral rehydration therapy programme in India: standard case management of acute watery diarrhoea
Manchanda, V.K.
Journal of the Indian Medical Association 93(6): 220-226
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5847 PMID: 7499892 Document Number: 255884
The Diarrheal Diseases Control Program in India was started in 1978 with the objective of reducing mortality and morbidity due to diarrheal diseases. With the birth of the National Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) Program in 1985-86, focus shifted to strengthening case management of diarrhea for children under the age of five years and improving maternal knowledge related to the use of home available fluids, use of oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution, and continued feeding. Ensuring availability of ORS packets at health facilities and in the community is an important aspect of the program. Since 1992-93, the program has become part of the Child Survival and Safe Motherhood (CSSM) Program. All program activities are integrated with those of the CSSM program. This paper describes the situation in 1985, the current situation, the emergence of malnutrition as an important issue, rationale for standard case management, the standard case management of acute watery diarrhea, types of diarrhea, assessment of a child with diarrhea, principles of managing acute diarrhea, home available fluids, oral rehydration salts, cases with and without signs of dehydration, cases with signs of severe dehydration, feeding in diarrhea, the rational use of drugs, diarrhea associated with other illnesses, and advice to the mother.