PSI/Cambodia Launches the Orasel KIT® To Treat Childhood Diarrhea

Pursat, CAMBODIA, March 10, 2006— Today PSI/Cambodia launches the Orasel KIT® pilot project in Pursat Province. The new formulation oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc supplementation will provide caregivers with a two-pronged approach to improved management of acute diarrhea in children.

In Cambodia it is estimated that nearly 1 out of 4 deaths of children under the age of five were linked to diarrhea, in particular to the loss of fluids and dehydration. In line with the recommendations from WHO and UNICEF in their 2004 Joint Statement, the Orasel KIT® will contain 2 sachets of the new low-osmolarity formula ORS, branded as Orasel®, and a 10-day course of zinc in a dispersible and easy to administer form. The kit includes simple, low-literacy instructions.

H.E. Professor Eng Huot, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Health, will preside over the official launch event. The pilot project will feature a local mass media campaign encompassing television, radio and billboards ads, and a mobile video unit program to raise awareness of Orasel KIT®. NGO partners, Care International and the Reproductive and Child Health Alliance (RACHA), will assist in distributing the product through pharmacies, drug stores and village shops as well as in giving trainings for health providers. Support for the program is provided by United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

PSI/Cambodia is introducing Orasel KIT® to assist caregivers of children in better managing diarrhea at home. Lessons learned from the Pursat project and a sister one to be implemented in Siem Reap later in April will shape the strategy for the nationwide introduction of Orasel KIT® which is planned for 2007.

PSI has plans to market similar Orasel Kits in Ethiopia and Haiti as well as a zinc product in Nepal in the next few months.

— Dr. Nop Sotheara, PSI/Cambodia

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