NAME OF THE BRANCH           :

  “ORS” CELEBRATION PERIOD:

OFFICE BEARERS DURING      :           President:
THE PERIOD UNDER REPORT:            Secretary:
                                                                  Treasurer:

CATEGORY FOR EVALUATION           1) Branch based at Metropolitan City
(ONLY FOR LOCAL BRANCHES)         2) Branch having medical college in its area
                                                                   3) Branch without medical college in its area

MEMBERSHIP STRENGTH                    TOTAL

i)                     Fellow

ii)                   Life

iii)                  Associate Life

iv)                  Student

v)                    Ordinary

vi)                  Associate

SUGGESTED ACTIVITES DURING ORS WEEK & ORS DAY CELEBRATION

  BACKGROUND

  Despite India’s enormous progress over the past decade, which reduced mortality of children under five due to diarrhea by approximately 5 lakh, and moved diarrhea from first to second major killer of children, India still loses about 6 lakh children under 5, every year.  Yet, most of these children can survive if they are given ORS (WHO composition) breastmilk and food early and throughout diarrhea. 

  The problem with ORS (WHO composition) is not a medical problem.  Most doctors don’t prescribe it, chemist don’t recommend it and parents don’t buy it.  Instead they prescribe, recommend and buy antidiarrheal drugs, which are perceived as “doctor recommended” and are prescribed.  These drugs are expensive, useless and often dangerous and distract from the real problem preventing dehydration.  In addition, doctors, chemists and parents perceive ORS as “for Dehydration” rather than “for Diarrhea”.  So, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the doctors should prescribe, chemists to recommend and parents to give ORS  (WHO composition), along with breastfeeding and food, for all children with diarrhea.  The IAP further recommends that the doctors should prescribe ORS (WHO composition) at the top of the prescription pad for all children with diarrhea.  The prescription gives the product credibility.  The IAP has been trying to give ORS  (WHO composition) some “clout”, “prestige”. 

Remember, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics is dedicated to children’s health.  As such, IAP is placing great emphasis on promoting the message that “ORS saves lives of children with Diarrhea.” ORS IS A WONDER DRUG.

  IAP BRANCHES MAY PARTICIPATE IN A FOLLOWING MANNER

·         Organize events and functions involving Government of your State – State Minister / Health Minister / District Collector / District Health Officer etc with extensive media coverage.

·         Create ORS prescription awareness amongst the members of your branch.

·         Arrange for some visible activity for the media, involving children, general public in Rallis, Rath Yatras, Poster Competition etc.

·         ORS mixing competitions for mothers and children in schools/community.

·         Organize ORS camps in collaboration with IAP and medical colleges, meetings with chemists, school poster contest.

·         Contact the local chemist body and request them to conduct events for promoting the ORS message to their members and masses.