August 31, 2006

Advancing diarrheal disease control interventions in Nicaragua

The Enhanced Diarrheal Disease Control Initiative (EDD) was advanced in Nicaragua at a series of major meetings and seminars during the week of August 14. The objective of EDD is to raise awareness about new diarrheal disease interventions, including rotavirus vaccines, zinc treatment, and a reduced-osmolarity formulation of oral rehydration solution (ORS). In parallel, EDD also aims to reinforce existing interventions such as oral rehydration therapy (ORT), exclusive breastfeeding, and improved sanitation and hygiene.

The week’s events began with a major gathering of 250 key personnel from MINSA (the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health), followed by a symposium attended by students and faculty from national medical schools, culminating with the annual Pediatric Congress. Presentations by representatives from MINSA, UNICEF, public health organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry outlined evidence in support of new interventions and helped focus attention on diarrheal disease control.

Nicaragua is planning to introduce rotavirus vaccine this year, and ministry officials are using EDD as the framework for related training and education, as well as for updating diarrheal disease policies and management practices throughout the public health system. These activities will be implemented nationwide, with support from an EDD coalition composed of UNICEF, the Nicaraguan Pediatric Association, PATH, and local non-governmental organization NicaSalud.

Nicaragua’s introduction of EDD has sparked the interest of other countries in the region, and many attendees at the week’s events acknowledged the foresight of Nicaragua’s public health policymakers in utilizing the EDD strategy. Margarita Gurdian, Nicaragua’s Minister of Health, praised the work of the coalition and noted the impact that integrated approaches can have on addressing not only diarrheal disease, but other child health issues as well.

EDD in Nicaragua is being implemented through a collaborative partnership with UNICEF and NicaSalud and is funded by the GAVI Alliance through the PATH Rotavirus Vaccine Program. For additional information, please visit www.eddcontrol.org.