Photo: © Save the Children
It might be hard to believe but pneumonia is still the world's leading cause of death of children under five, specially in developing countries, where about 98 percent of all pneumonia-related fatalities in children occur. This situation is particularly shocking since pneumonia is a treatable disease: there are safe, effective and affordable tools both to help prevent children from contracting pneumonia and to treat those who suffer from this illness. What is then missing in the battle against pneumonia?
To make a long story short, more effective action is needed. Let's take Pakistan as an example. Mohammed Cisse, UNICEF Health and Nutrition Chief, announced today in Islamabad that pneumococcal vaccine will be introduced in routine immunization from 2012 onwards. The vaccine is unaffordable for many people in Pakistan and including it in the Expanded Programme on Immunization can make a difference. In order to implement this programme, UNICEF has been working together with the government of Pakistan through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) initiative. Pakistan's death rate among children due to pneumonia is over 18 percent despite all advancements in the field of medicine. Why? For example, parents use to self-medicate their children instead of referring to doctors and this illustrates only the beginning of the problem. There is an urgent need to coordinate efforts in the battle against pneumonia. Some measures include: deployment of community midwives, their adequate supervision for pneumonia case management, counselling and referral. Also, exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, a balanced diet, family planning and proper hand washing could save 60 percent of children from dying due to pneumonia in Pakistan.
As in Pakistan, other developing countries shall pursue solutions to fight pneumonia in their communities. GAVI partners play an important role and thanks to them vaccines against the leading cause of pneumonia are finally reaching children in developing countries at nearly the same time they reach children in high income countries. But there is more to be done, namely in special groups such as HIV-positive children. Nevertheless, it's crucial to ensure that all children have equal access to life-saving vaccines and keep taking preventive steps towards public awareness about pneumonia. Prevention and treatment are possible and the battle against pneumonia can be won.
read more: World Pneumonia Day
read more: Fact sheet on pneumonia
To make a long story short, more effective action is needed. Let's take Pakistan as an example. Mohammed Cisse, UNICEF Health and Nutrition Chief, announced today in Islamabad that pneumococcal vaccine will be introduced in routine immunization from 2012 onwards. The vaccine is unaffordable for many people in Pakistan and including it in the Expanded Programme on Immunization can make a difference. In order to implement this programme, UNICEF has been working together with the government of Pakistan through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) initiative. Pakistan's death rate among children due to pneumonia is over 18 percent despite all advancements in the field of medicine. Why? For example, parents use to self-medicate their children instead of referring to doctors and this illustrates only the beginning of the problem. There is an urgent need to coordinate efforts in the battle against pneumonia. Some measures include: deployment of community midwives, their adequate supervision for pneumonia case management, counselling and referral. Also, exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, a balanced diet, family planning and proper hand washing could save 60 percent of children from dying due to pneumonia in Pakistan.
As in Pakistan, other developing countries shall pursue solutions to fight pneumonia in their communities. GAVI partners play an important role and thanks to them vaccines against the leading cause of pneumonia are finally reaching children in developing countries at nearly the same time they reach children in high income countries. But there is more to be done, namely in special groups such as HIV-positive children. Nevertheless, it's crucial to ensure that all children have equal access to life-saving vaccines and keep taking preventive steps towards public awareness about pneumonia. Prevention and treatment are possible and the battle against pneumonia can be won.
read more: World Pneumonia Day
read more: Fact sheet on pneumonia
video: World Pneumonia Day 2011
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