Background:

Childhood diarrhoea is a major cause of child mortality in Pakistan. According to UNICEF (2019), every 12th child under the age of five dies due to diarrhoea or its related complications—deaths that are largely preventable through timely treatment with Zinc and Low Osmolarity Oral Rehydration Salts (LO-ORS). Despite WHO recommendations, uptake remains low; PDHS (2017-2018) found that only 8% of children with diarrhoea received the recommended Zinc and LO-ORS combination.

Nutrition International (NI) initiated a demonstration project in Gujrat District, Punjab, from 2014 to 2017. Based on its success, the project was expanded between 2017 and 2019 to Punjab and Sindh provinces through a range of interventions, including capacity building of healthcare providers and master trainers, media workshops, and SMS-based communication with Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and Lady Health Supervisors (LHSs). Under the initiative titled “Improved Provision of Services for Childhood Diarrhoea Treatment by LHWs,” and following consultations with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, NI supported the training of master trainers, LHSs, and LHWs across all districts of KP during 2023–2024. Additionally, in FY 2024–25, NI provided supplies of Zinc and LO-ORS to LHWs in KP.

From 2021 to 2023, in partnership with Greenstar Social Marketing (GSM), NI worked to incorporate Zinc and LO-ORS into GSM’s social franchise model across KP, Punjab, and Sindh. NI also collaborated with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to implement integrated health and nutrition program through FHOs and community mobilisers in 2 districts of Balochistan and one district of KP. These efforts promoted the use of Zinc and LO-ORS alongside other key interventions, including Early Childhood Development (ECD), immunization, improved nutrition, and Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancies (HTSP).

Looking ahead, NI aims to strengthen collaboration with both public and private sector stakeholders to further increase the uptake of Zinc and LO-ORS through comprehensive efforts including advocacy, capacity building, supply chain support, and awareness-raising activities.

Objectives of the Internship:

The internship offers an opportunity for a motivated final year Master’s student or fresh graduates to support the implementation of a national level diarrhoea treatment programme. Among other things, the intern will contribute to program coordination, stakeholder engagement, and documentation and reporting while gaining firsthand experience in public and private health programme delivery and monitoring.

DETAILED TORS ATTACHED