Isn’t
it a sad reality that despite advances in medicine and modern technology there
are still certain diseases that cannot be eradicated. One such illness is diarrhea,
most notable is children diarrhea. From a medical point-of-view, it is a preventable
and treatable disease and yet it is still the second leading cause of death
worldwide for children under the age of five.
Children
under the age of five are still susceptible to this disease and the World Health
Organization (WHO) reported that diarrhea kills about half a million children
aged under five each year. In the Philippines, it is also one of the leading
causes of death among children, translating to 14 Filipino children dying of
the disease every day before they reach the age of 5.
But
what causes diarrhea? In a study, it is said that Rotavirus is the number one
cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhea. This virus is highly contagious and can
spread via fecal- oral route. It is readily transmitted from contaminated
surfaces, such as when infants and young children frequently put their hands
and toys into their mouths. What is real scary about the virus is that it has
also sent millions of infants and young children to hospitals and clinics.
Studies
have shown that a child who has experienced severe, dehydrating diarrhea may
suffer from its long-term effects such as loss of IQ by up to 10 points,
fitness impairment, decreased school performance including delayed school
age.7-9 It is a universal disease that our children can acquire, rich or poor.
“Game On: Kontra Diarrhea” Campaign
Last
October 10, 2018, GSK, one of the world’s science- led healthcare companies, in
partnership with the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), officially
launched a campaign to combat the threat of diarrhea. Dubbed the “Game On:
Kontra Diarrhea” campaign, this campaign aims to emphasize the gravity of the
disease and a holistic approach to its prevention, which includes
breastfeeding, improvement of hygiene and clean water supply, handwashing, and
vaccination.
During
the launch, Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the PFV emphasized, “We want
to inform and empower mothers all over the Philippines to give their children a
better chance to a brighter future. Rotavirus diarrhea can seriously impact on
a child’s growth and development. A holistic approach—breastfeeding, access to
clean water and sanitation, handwashing, and vaccination—has been considered to
give Filipino infants and young children a chance against this life-threatening
disease.”
“Helping
protect our Filipino children from vaccine- preventable diseases such as
diarrhea has always been a continuing commitment and advocacy of the PFV,”
shared Dr. Bravo.
On Vaccination
During
the launch, the topic on vaccination was also discussed. Vaccinating a child
against rotavirus has been considered generally safe and effective based on
data from countries who have implemented national rotavirus vaccination
programs. In line with the WHO recommendation, there are more than 80 countries
that have implemented this measure such as the Philippines, Thailand, United
States, and the United Kingdom. Hospitalization rates and diarrheal deaths in
these countries, have declined.
“Diarrhea
has been a long-standing health issue around the world and in the Philippines.
The time is now for us to act on it by increasing awareness amongst the public
on the serious consequences of diarrhea among children,” said Sriram
Jambunathan, General Manager of GSK Philippines.“
“We
will continue to help raise awareness on childhood diarrhea in some of the
communities in the provinces with the highest diarrhea cases. All of
us—industry, doctors, policymakers, and the civil society-- need to work
together to help ensure that our children remain healthy and protected from
diarrhea,” urged Jambunathan.
Game On: Kontra Diarrhea Caravan
This
year, GSK commemorates its 50th year in the Philippines and commits to continue
helping Filipinos do more, feel better, live longer.
The
Game On: Kontra Diarrhea Caravan will be in Agusan on October 17, Iloilo on
October 23, Manila on October 25, and finally in Dagupan on November 5.
To
know more about the childhood diarrhea and how to prevent it, consult your
doctor or community health worker.
