AID grant no. 527-0000-G-00-4377-00 to the United Nations Children"s Fund to support activities to control acute diarrheal disease and to eliminate neonatal tetanus

With respect to diarrheal disease, UNICEF"s activities will reduce the use of pharmaceuticals in diarrhea treatment in favor of oral rehydration therapy and improved dietary management. Activities will include (1) training of health personnel in 50 peripheral health services; (2) continued training of 150 community oral rehydration unit volunteers; (3) provision of educational materials and distribution of supplies for treating diarrheal disease; (4) development of a training network for 120 organized women"s groups; and (5) local production of TV and radio IEC messages to be broadcast via mass and traditional media. Neonatal tetanus control activities will focus on tetanus toxoid immunizations for women of fertile age, and will include support for: (1) two consecutive "mop up" immunization campaigns in 6 high-risk districts; (2) implementation of a "lost opportunity" vaccination strategy for women of fertile age in all health facilities; (3) vaccination of school children over age 14 in high-risk areas; and (4) training of 90 traditional birth attendants to identify and refer non-vaccinated women to community health centers.