GSK and PFV Rolls Out Kontra Diarrhea Campaign The preventable and treatable disease is still the second leading cause of death in children under the age of five

MANILA, October 10, 2018 – Despite advances in modern medicine, children under
the age of five are still susceptible to diarrhea—a disease that has been identified
as the second leading cause of death in children worldwide, next to pneumonia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that diarrhea kills about half a
million children aged under five each year.

In the Philippines, it is also one of the leading causes of death among children, translating to  Filipino children dying of the disease every day before they reach the age of 5. 3
Rotavirus is the number one cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhea.

This virus is highly contagious and can spread via fecal- oral route. It is readily transmitted from contaminated surfaces, such as when infants and young children frequently put
their hands and toys into their mouths.5-6 The virus has also sent millions of infants
and young children to hospitals and clinics.

Studies have shown that a child who has experienced severe, dehydrating diarrhea
may suffer from its long-term effects such as loss of IQ by up to 10 points, fitness
impairment, decreased school performance including delayed school age.7-9
It is a universal disease that our children can acquire, rich or poor.

To combat the threat of diarrhea, GSK, one of the world’s science- led healthcare
companies, in partnership with the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV),
officially launched the “Game On: Kontra Diarrhea” campaign on October 10. The
campaign aims to emphasize the gravity of the disease and a holistic approach to
its prevention, which includes breastfeeding, improvement of hygiene and clean
water supply, handwashing, and vaccination.

“We want to inform and empower mothers all over the Philippines to give their
children a better chance to a brighter future. Rotavirus diarrhea can seriously
impact on a child’s growth and development. A holistic approach—breastfeeding,
access to clean water and sanitation, handwashing, and vaccination—has been
considered to give Filipino infants and young children a chance against this life-
threatening disease,” said Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the PFV.

“Helping protect our Filipino children from vaccine- preventable diseases such as
diarrhea has always been a continuing commitment and advocacy of the PFV,”
shared Dr. Bravo.
Vaccinating a child against rotavirus has been considered generally safe11 and
effective4 based on data from countries who have implemented national rotavirus
vaccination programs. In line with the WHO recommendation, 11 there are more
than 80 countries12 that have implemented this measure such as the Philippines13
,
Thailand14, United States15, and the United Kingdom16. Hospitalization rates and
diarrheal deaths in these countries, have declined.
“Diarrhea has been a long-standing health issue around the world and in the
Philippines. The time is now for us to act on it by increasing awareness amongst the
public on the serious consequences of diarrhea among children,” said Sriram
Jambunathan, General Manager of GSK Philippines.
“We will continue to help raise awareness on childhood diarrhea in some of the
communities in the provinces with the highest diarrhea cases. All of us—industry,
doctors, policymakers, and the civil society-- need to work together to help ensure
that our children remain healthy and protected from diarrhea,” urged
Jambunathan.

This year, GSK commemorates its 50th year in the Philippines and commits to
continue helping Filipinos do more, feel better, live longer.
The Game On: Kontra Diarrhea Caravan will be in Agusan on October 17, Iloilo on
October 23, Manila on October 25, and finally in Dagupan on November 5.
To know more about the childhood diarrhea and how to prevent it, consult your
doctor or community health worker.