On October 16, 2022, Dr Dilip Mahalanabis died in Kolkata. In 1971, he pioneered the use of oral rehydration therapy in refugee camps near Kolkata saving many lives. This was the first time it was used in a crisis setting. 

In this episode of Science and Us, Suno India’s Menaka Rao speaks to Dr Rajib Dasgupta about the scientific mechanism of oral rehydration therapy and why it works to save lives during acute diarrhoea. Dr Rajib describes the twists and turns which led to the final acceptance of oral rehydration therapy for diarrhoea treatment at the global level. The show is co-hosted by Rakesh Kamal. 

References

Dilip Mahalanabis: The ORS pioneer who helped save millions of lives | The Indian Express
MAGIC BULLET: THE HISTORY OF ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY
ORAL MAINTENANCE THERAPY FOR CHOLERA IN ADULTS - The Lancet
Oral fluid therapy of cholera among Bangladesh refugees[1] Mahalanabis D, Choudhuri A B, Bagchi N G, Bhattacharya A K, Simpson T W
Oral rehydration therapy: the simple solution for saving lives | The BMJ
Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar launches Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight – 2022 aimed at zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea 

Exploring intra-household factors for diarrhoeal diseases: a study in slums of Delhi, India