Publications

Diarrheal diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five in Africa, despite the availability of cost-effective preventive and therapeutic interventions. This review examines the role of policy development and government-led interventions in diarrhea control, highlighting successes, persistent gaps, and emerging opportunities. Key strategies, including oral rehydration therapy, zinc supplementation, rotavirus vaccination, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives, have proven effective but are often undermined by inequitable access, weak health systems, and inconsistent implementation. The review emphasizes the evolving role of public health authorities in coordinating multisectoral strategies, strengthening surveillance, ensuring sustainable financing, integrating digital health innovations, and promoting equity-focused interventions. Research and monitoring priorities, including pathogen surveillance, sustainable WASH financing, and evaluation of digital IMCI and community health worker models, are essential to inform evidence-based policymaking. The study underscores that well-coordinated, adequately resourced, and context-specific government interventions are critical to reducing diarrheal morbidity and mortality and achieving child health equity in Africa.