India launches effort to cut diarrhea deaths

NEW DELHI - India's Health Ministry has launched a nationwide campaign to reduce child deaths due to diarrhea, officials said on Thursday.

The efforts are aimed at creating awareness among the population about the most effective and low-cost treatment, a combination of Oral Rehydration Salt solution and zinc tablets.

"The ministry has made it a national priority to bring health outcomes among children to a level equitable with the rest of the world. Through this initiative, the ministry will mobilize health personnel, state governments and other stakeholders to prioritize investment in control of diarrhea, one of the most common childhood illnesses," a Health Ministry spokesman said.