The Institute for OneWorld Health Commemorates World Health day

April 7, 2011 - PRLog -- South San Francisco, CA – The Institute for OneWorld Health (iOWH), a non-profit that develops life-saving medicines for the world’s most neglected infectious diseases, released the following statement commemorating World Health Day:

“Today marks the 61st annual World Health Day.  While the world turns its attention to global health issues for one day each year, making medicine available to children throughout the developing world is our goal every day.  

“This has been an exciting year for OneWorld Health.  Earlier this spring, we announced a major milestone in the fight against diarrheal diseases, such as cholera, which kill 1.5 million children each year.  These deaths are even more tragic when you consider how preventable they are.  In 2011, there is no reason to allow diarrhea to kill children.  Our new medicine has been designed to be used in conjunction with current oral rehydration therapies (ORT) to address the severe fluid loss that is the hallmark of diarrheal diseases.  This treatment would provide faster relief of diarrhea symptoms and encourage wider adoption of ORT resulting in reduction of mortality rate and improvement of quality of life.

“We commend the organizations and individuals that work tirelessly to bring attention to global health issues and to make the world a safer, healthier place.  We remain committed to fulfilling the promise of medicine for children in the developing world.”