Abstract

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.