New Developments
Progress has been made over the past decade in the technology available for household water treatment and safe storage. Many technologies are available for varying costs ranging from very inexpensive (chlorine tabs such as AquaTabs) to expensive (PUR, a disinfection/flocculation technology available from Proctor and Gamble).
Fig. 10: Avilable technological interventions and effectiveness of diarrheal disease reduction (Roberts, 2006)
Research
In addition to the above interventions, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene program are working to develop tools and technologies and bring about groundbreaking improvements in toilet design, pit emptying, and sludge treatment.
Investment and New Programs
Reckitt Benckiser (RB) - a global consumer goods leader in health, hygiene and home whose portfolio includes iconic brands such as Clearasil(r), Lysol(r) and Woolite(r) - and Save the Children has announced a new global focus to their existing partnership, with an initial funding of $35.5 million and a goal to target the devastating global death rate in children under five from diarrhea by 2020.
By developing new, innovative products including a low cost 'de-germer', RB aims to support mass reach hand-hygiene campaigns and create safer home environments for babies and children.
Special Challenges
Innovation in delivery strategies:
Products made more attractive to users: Flavored ORS are introduced to increase acceptability among children who may refuse treatment due to poor taste. Such flavoring has not been recommended previously due to concerns of overconsumption leading to potentially harmful side effects. However, the new ORS formula largely eliminates this risk.