RB reiterates commitment to reducing child deaths from diarrhoea

RB West Africa and Save the Children recently launched a partnership to reduce child deaths from diarrhoea in Shomolu Local Council of Lagos State. The partnership, which began in 2013, is aimed at preventing, controlling and treating the unnecessary killer diseases, especially diarrhea.

Speaking at the event, the General Manager, RB West Africa, Rahul Murgai said that the combination of RB’s expertise in product development and research, and Save the Children’s experience of delivering life-saving work, have helped save thousands of young lives yearly.

According to the GM, inception phases funded by RB, involving the research and set up of large-scale, innovative programmes to combat diarrhoea in Nigeria and Pakistan are complete, and now in execution phase in Shomolu community in Lagos to fully implement the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) seven-point plan to ensure comprehensive diarrhoea control.

“RB and Save the Children have committed to working with national governments and other partners to implement the seven-point plan by developing unique products to improve hand washing and community sanitation. This is assured as RB’s expertise in product development and research, and Save the Children’s experience of delivering life-saving work will help save thousands of young lives every year”.

“To achieve the partnership’s long-term ambition and to eliminate childhood death from diarrhoea, RB is creating a game-changing social enterprise scheme whereby all profits from the sale of two innovative products will be reinvested into the Stop Diarrhoea programmes and into continued product development.”

“For the first time, RB will not be making a profit from these products and the revenue will be reinvested into The Stop Diarrhea Initiative (SDI) to combat mortality and morbidity amongst children under the age of 5years due to diarrhea in Nigeria –which is the sole aim of ‘Save the Children’ and RB,“ Rahul said.

It was an avenue to enable its stakeholders and partners appreciate the work that is being piloted in Lagos state, share milestone achievements and appreciate their support and commitment.