6. The Invention of Oral Rehydration Therapy (1960s)
The development of oral rehydration solution (ORS) in the 1960s marked a turning point in the fight against diarrheal diseases. Simple yet powerful, ORS drastically reduced child mortality rates in low-resource settings by preventing fatal dehydration. This cost-effective therapy has saved millions of lives worldwide and remains a vital tool in global health. According to UNICEF, ORS remains a cornerstone intervention for child survival, especially during outbreaks and humanitarian crises.
