Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) and the private sector : collaboration in the field of oral rehydration therapy

Based on a review of selected INCAP materials and interviews with INCAP, A.I.D., and private sector personnel, this brief report first discusses INCAP in terms of its charter, purposes, administration, personnel, operating budget, organizational structure, rationale for fostering contact with the private sector, and involvement in ORT programs. Succeeding sections consider INCAP"s experience with the private sector, the ORT services needed by the latter, and the constraints to effective INCAP-private sector collaboration. A final section delineates the mutual benefits of such collaboration and recommends that INCAP approach private (domestically-owned) firms in the region and assess their interest in manufacturing oral rehydration salts or in having access to the raw materials used in the salts.