Indonesia

In Indonesia, C-Change is working to ensure that oral rehydration solution and zinc are the preferred and sustainable treatment for diarrhea among children under 5. A previous project managed by AED, the Point-of-Use Water Disinfection and Zinc Treatment (POUZN), promoted this treatment, which is proven to reduce the duration and severity of diarrheal episodes and to have a preventive effect against reoccurrence. POUZN made impressive progress, particularly through advocacy and public-private partnerships, catalyzing the Ministry of Health’s decision to integrate zinc treatment into national policy guidelines and stimulating greater zinc production and marketing by the pharmaceutical industry.

Beginning in October 2010, C-Change has been applying social and behavior change communication (SBCC) to continue this momentum. To prepare the ground for a mass communication campaign, the project is targeting a cascade of influencers on zinc treatment: key opinion leaders, pediatricians, midwives, and other health providers. Along the way, C-Change continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, other health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the media, and community-based organizations.

Watch the video PSA developed by the project and funded by USAID that promotes zinc treatment in Indonesia.