World Pneumonia Day 2015 was observed here on Thursday like other parts of the globe with a resolve to continue efforts aimed at raising awareness and promoting intervention to protect against, treat, and prevent pneumonia to achieve the goal of a healthy society. The theme was "Every breath counts - stop pneumonia."
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, pneumonia accounts for 18 percent of the total child deaths making it the leading killer of children less than five years of age. Pneumonia kills more children than Aids, malaria and measles combined. To mark the day, different events were arranged in a bid to raise awareness among people for protecting children against pneumonia. Experts said that it is very unfortunate that such a large number of innocent children are dying in our country because of vaccine preventable diseases like pneumonia.
In a briefing arranged by Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), it was informed that Pakistan still stands on top amongst five countries which account for 99 percent of childhood pneumonia cases. Dr Tahir Masood, President PPA and former Dean of Children's Hospital Lahore pointed out that despite availability of free pneumonia vaccine in EPI Programme, 92,000 children die of pneumonia every year in Pakistan and lack of awareness among masses is the leading reason behind it.
Dr Naeem Zafar, Vice President PPA said that preventing children from developing pneumonia in the first phase is critical in reducing death toll. Preventing pneumonia averts treatment costs, other loses due to illness, and allows children to become healthy, productive adults, he said.
"Vaccines hold promise of saving millions of children from dying of pneumonia. Vaccines against pneumococcus, Hib, pertussis, and measles can prevent a significant portion of pneumonia cases from ever occurring. Increase in vaccine coverage would also save lives and prevent cases of illness." He said the PPA is focusing on research to protect children from various diseases," he added. Dr Asif Kalim Sheikh, President PPA Punjab said pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. When an individual has pneumonia, the alveoli (small sacs in lungs which fill with air when a healthy person breathes) are filled with pus and fluid, which makes breathing painful and limits oxygen intake. Infants and children younger than age two years are at higher risk of contracting pneumonia as their immune systems are still developing.
In children, the signs and symptoms of pneumonia may vary depending upon the type of pathogen. However the most common symptoms include rapid or difficult breathing, cough, fever, chills, headaches, loss of appetite and wheezing. Dr Asif Kalim Sheikh suggested that the government should link issuance of birth certificates with compulsory immunisation of children.