PSI India and ORSL Expand ‘Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi’ Initiative to Improve Child Health in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

New Delhi, July 30, 2026: Population Services International India (PSI India) and the makers of ORSL, an Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) brand, have reaffirmed their commitment to improving the prevention and management of childhood diarrhoea through the ‘Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi’ public health initiative. Announced on World ORS Day, the programme is being implemented across 16 high-burden districts in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to support the Government of India's ‘Stop Diarrhoea’ Campaign.

The initiative aims to reach nearly five million children under the age of five over a period of more than two years by promoting awareness, strengthening frontline healthcare systems and improving access to WHO-recommended ORS and Zinc therapy.

According to the programme, it has reached more than 23 million people, including 2.5 million children under five, through household visits, community outreach and mass media campaigns. More than 34,000 ASHAs, ANMs and Anganwadi Workers and 1,000 doctors and nurses have been trained on childhood diarrhoea management, while 4,970 ORS-Zinc corners have been established at government and private health facilities. The initiative has also engaged over 5,000 community leaders and 550 chemists to strengthen awareness and access to treatment.

Commenting on the initiative, Prashant Shinde, Business Unit Head – Self Care, Kenvue India, said, “Improving child health outcomes impacted by diarrhoea requires sustained action including improved access to WHO recommended ORS solutions as well as empowering families with knowledge and access, strengthening frontline healthcare systems and driving informed health behaviours. Through 'Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi' initiative, we are proud of the impact we have created so far to support the Government’s efforts along with PSI India, to ensure that caregivers not only understand the importance of ORS and Zinc but are also equipped to act quickly during incidents of diarrhoea. On World ORS Day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting India's efforts to reduce preventable childhood illness and mortality by building lasting awareness, strengthening community health systems, and improving access to lifesaving interventions where they are needed most.”

Mukesh Kumar Sharma, Executive Director, PSI India, added, “We are truly humbled by the recognition from Dr Pinki Jowel (IAS), MD, NHM – UP towards our efforts for the STOP Diarrhoea campaign under our Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi public health initiative. During implementation, we identified that collaborating with school children, Mahila Arogya Samiti members significantly enhanced and deepened awareness around diarrhoea prevention and management. In the first year, we reached over 2.5 million children under five for diarrhoea care through the caregivers, ASHAs, and other service providers. We are excited to continue this important responsibility, as we believe no child should die from such preventable disease. We are ready to further support the government by expanding our efforts to other regions in the states and across India.”

The initiative has received endorsement from the National Health Mission, Uttar Pradesh, and will continue with a month-long awareness campaign featuring community outreach activities, stakeholder engagement and public education programmes.