• The 16th Asian Conference on Diarrhoeal Disease and Nutrition (ASCODD) was held at Kolkata.
• Theme: “Prevention and control of cholera, typhoid and other enteric diseases in low and middle-income countries through community participation: beyond the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic”.

Focus Areas:

• Epidemiology of cholera and typhoid
• Roadmap to end Cholera by 2030, Cholera vaccine development and rapid diagnostics,
• Contemporary perspectives of antimicrobial resistance of enteric bacteria: new Initiatives and challenges,
• Enteric bacterial infections, including Shigella spp, epidemiology, burden, and
• vaccines against other viral infections, including Hepatitis,
• Lessons learned about diarrhoea research during the COVID pandemic.

Achievements of India:

• India successfully ran a free vaccination program with record break vaccination of more than 219 crores.
• India provided vaccinations to other nations so that it can win over the pandemic together. Effective use of safe and affordable vaccines,
• Various Health initiatives under Digital India initiative:
  • Online Registration System,
  • eHospital for hospital management,
  • eSanjeevani telemedicine app

Diarrhoea

• Gastrointestinal infection leading to Loose, watery and possibly more-frequent bowel movements
• It is caused by a Variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms, Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking-water, or from person to person as a result of poor hygiene.
• Associated with other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weight loss.