Shaping Local Markets for Diarrhea Treatment

This project aims to reduce the number of children under the age of five who are dying from diarrhea in five Nigerian states. This project works closely with communities the Government of Nigeria and the private sector to build a sustainable local market for oral rehydration salts and zinc - the recommended treatment for diarrhea. Combined these two simple highly effective and affordable treatments can reduce the likelihood of diarrhea deaths in young children by up to 93%. The project works to encourage investment by Nigerian pharmaceutical importers and manufacturers to ensure a better supply of these low-cost treatments in Nigeria and better distribution of the treatments in clinics and private shops in hard-to-reach areas. This innovative private-sector oriented project also seeks to educate caregivers and health workers in the use of oral rehydration salts and zinc to effectively and safely treat diarrhea in children. The project aims to increase the use of these life-saving treatments - from less than 1% currently to over 50% by 2017 - to reach an estimated 4.2 million children.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: increased demand for oral rehydration salts and zinc among caregivers and health providers in five focal states; increased supply by manufacturers and importers of affordable high-quality oral rehydration salts and zinc in five focal states; expanded distribution of oral rehydration salts and zinc to clinics and private shops in rural and hard-to-reach areas.