New Delhi: Union Health Minister JP Nadda has underscored the critical role of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) in combating diarrhoea and dehydration, especially among children, calling it one of the most cost-effective and accessible medical treatments available today.
Speaking on the occasion of World ORS Day, observed annually on 29 July, Nadda took to social media platform X to highlight ORS as a “simple yet powerful remedy” capable of saving millions of lives. “ORS is an affordable and effective healthcare solution for treating dehydration and diarrhoea. It is especially vital for children under five,” he wrote.
Diarrhoeal diseases remain a leading cause of death among infants and young children in developing countries, primarily due to dehydration. Health experts stress that early administration of fluids at home or through glucose-electrolyte solutions such as ORS can drastically reduce mortality. The World Health Organisation recommends ORS as the frontline treatment for acute diarrhoea.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) continues to promote the timely use of ORS and zinc supplements, particularly in rural and underserved communities. These are made available free of cost at government health centres nationwide.
In 2024, the ministry rebranded its Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) as the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign, focusing on a ‘Prevent, Protect, Treat’ (PPT) strategy. The campaign aims to reduce child deaths by improving sanitation, boosting nutrition, and expanding access to clean water.
“Raising awareness and ensuring universal access to ORS is not just a health goal—it’s a moral imperative,” said Nadda, reaffirming the government’s commitment to eliminate preventable child deaths due to diarrhoea.