In a determined effort to eliminate childhood deaths due to diarrhoea, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda, launched the National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024 today. Joined by  Anupriya Patel and  Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao, Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, the launch included the release of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials such as logos, posters, radio spots, and audio-visual content. Additionally, oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc tablets were distributed to children as part of the campaign’s initiation.

The primary objective of the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024 is to achieve zero child deaths caused by diarrhoea. Unlike the previous strategy, which involved a two-week campaign, the new approach extends to a two-month campaign. This expanded effort includes pre-positioning of two ORS packets and zinc co-packaging for children under five, coupled with extensive IEC activities across various platforms. The campaign seeks collaboration from multiple sectors, including health, water and sanitation, education, and rural development.

During the launch, J P Nadda highlighted the interconnectedness of the Mission Indradhanush, Rotavirus vaccine, and the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign, noting their collective impact on reducing childhood mortality due to diarrhoea. He recalled India's pioneering introduction of the Rotavirus vaccine in 2014 and credited initiatives like the National Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and the expansion of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir network for significantly lowering diarrhoea cases and deaths.

Emphasizing the crucial role of sensitizing health workers and enhancing capacity-building efforts J P Nadda expressed confidence in the preparedness levels of states and urged them to increase public awareness. He drew parallels with the successful administration of 220 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines, expressing optimism that frontline healthcare workers could similarly ensure effective delivery during the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign.