Training in Support of Scaling up Zinc

Abstract

Presenter: Dr.Azharul Islam Khan, Training and Development Manager, SUZY Project, ICDDR,B, 

Authors: A I Khan, Samina Sultana, F Ahmed

Objective: 

1. Promotion of zinc as a treatment at different levels of Health Service Delivery

2. Capacity building on health service providers also at different level

Summary:

Research evidence has shown zinc as an effective treatment for diarrhea along with ORS, especially among children under five years of age. It is now included in the revised recommendations for clinical and therapeutic management of acute childhood diarrhoea from WHO/UNICEF.

The training and development team of the SUZY project delivers nationwide training programs to various types of health care providers at different levels, i.e. pediatricians, medical institutions and affiliated bodies, governmental, non-governmental and private institutions through holding training sessions, workshops, seminars, round table discussions, open discussions and other dissemination tools.

The training programs include the introduction and promotion of zinc as a treatment for acute childhood diarrhoea as well as its preparation and prescription guidelines. The training team further informs providers about findings of ongoing research protocols conducted by the SUZY project. Through the providers the training activities are also targeting the caretakers for delivering the above-mentioned information on zinc treatment. Furthermore the team considers queries and concerns raised by providers as well as caretakers and provide appropriate messages responding to the most commonly asked questions.

A training manual for the trainers of the paramedics and health assistants as well as various communication materials like flip charts, booklets, information sheets video clippings, stickers, and posters have been developed.

Several training programs have already been held with health care providers at ICDDR,B and PSKP. Pediatricians from different medical institutions and relevant organizations participated and shared their practical experiences and suggestions for scaling up zinc during a series of workshop sessions held in December 2004. A seminar on role of zinc in young children with acute diarrhoea was jointly organized by BPA (Bangladesh Pediatric Association) and SUZY Project, ICDDR,B and held at BSMMU.

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