World Pneumonia Day - Halt Pneumonia's March

World Pneumonia Day is observed on the 12th November worldwide to raise awareness about this killer disease and to prevent pneumonia-related deaths in childhood.

Highlights:

World Pneumonia Day is observed on the 12^th November annually across the world to raise awareness about this deadly killer infectious disease and prevent pneumonia deaths in children
Pneumonia is an infectious disease that can be prevented and easily treated, but is still the leading cause of death due to infections in children less than five years of age

World Pneumonia Day is organized by the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia (a group of international, government, non-governmental and community-based organizations, academic and research institutions, foundations, and individuals) to raise awareness and educate about this killer disease.

This year (2018), the 10^th anniversary of World Pneumonia Day was established in 2009. The “Stop Pneumonia” campaign is being led by the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health underscoring the need to mount increased efforts to fight this deadly disease

Also, the WHO has drawn up the Integrated Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD) recognizing that prevention and control of two childhood killer diseases, i.e. pneumonia and diarrhea have to be jointly addressed with integrated programs.

Pneumonia - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by a bacteria or a virus. It causes inflammation of the alveoli or the air sacs of the lungs.

‘Pneumonia is a preventable and treatable infection but still remains the leading cause of death due to infectious disease in children under five years.’
Read More..

Mission of Stop Pneumonia Campaign

Raise awareness about pneumonia, the leading killer infectious disease in children under five years
Promote steps to protect against, prevent, and treat the condition and fill the gaps in the current approaches
Generate funds and garner support to fight against pneumonia and other common killer diseases of childhood such as diarrheal infections

Vaccines for Pneumonia Meningitis Reduce Healthcare Cost Burden
The economic impact of Gavi, the global vaccine alliance is estimated to prevent 20 million deaths and save $350 billion in health-care costs by 2020.

Call for Action - Message of Stop Pneumonia Initiative 2018

Each and every one should take part in the fight against pneumonia

Governments and administration must give top priority to the fight against this childhood killer disease
Government and healthcare system must ensure access to health care such as vaccines, antibiotics and treatment to one and all irrespective of location and socioeconomic status
Citizens should hold government and healthcare system accountable and to give priority to child health
Health care personnel should use all available resources and keep themselves abreast of new approaches to diagnosis and treatment
Research scientists should strive and spare no effort in developing newer and more effective drugs and vaccines to combat pneumonia

Guidelines for Treating Pneumonia in Children
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) have issued new guidelines for treating children from life-threatening pneumonia.

Raising Awareness about Preventing Pneumonia Deaths in Children

Share messages about the ‘Stop Pneumonia’ initiative on social media such as Facebook and Twitter
Visit outreach locations and slums to educate people on the importance of vaccination and seeking prompt treatment if their child is ill
Donate or raise funds for Stop Pneumonia campaign
Sell ‘Stop Pneumonia’ merchandise such as shirts, mugs, bracelets and other trivia and donate the funds for pneumonia research
Hospitals and clinics should run awareness clinics for mothers to educate them about preventing and treating pneumonia in their children
Media should give wide coverage to government programs aimed at fighting pneumonia and broadcast educational programs using experts to raise awareness among the public about this killer disease and its prevention
Governments should conduct wide-reaching and publicized vaccination programs to protect all children against pneumonia

Twenty Indian Children Die of Pneumonia Every Hour in India
Pneumonia kills twenty children every hour in India. The report “Fighting for Breath in India” shows that majority of pneumonia deaths happens among the poor.

Pneumonia Key Facts

Pneumonia kills over 16 percent of children under five years annually
Pneumonia is an infectious disease affecting the lungs and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi
Pneumonia can be prevented by vaccination, maintaining proper hygiene and nutrition
The condition is easily treatable by antibiotics and supportive treatment such as intravenous fluids and oxygen therapy
Symptoms of pneumonia include fever, cough, breathing difficulties, wheezing and in severe cases dehydration due to poor food and water intake, convulsions and coma

Steps to Prevent Pneumonia – Key to “Stop Pneumonia” Initiative

Immunization against Hib pneumococcus, measles and whooping cough (pertussis)
Educating women on the importance of breastfeeding to enhance child’s immunity
Ensure every child gets proper nutrition
Avoid indoor pollution due to cooking with firewood or kerosene and providing affordable gas stoves
Educating families about the importance of maintaining proper hygiene
Ensure health worker visits to families with young children to monitor the health of the child and reinforce health education of the mother and other family members
Implementation of the integrated Global action plan for pneumonia and diarrhea (GAPPD) drawn up by the WHO and UNICEF to reduce/prevent pneumonia-related deaths in young children as a top priority
Take measures to curb outdoor pollution

References:

IVAC 2018 Pneumonia and Diarrhea Progress Report - (https://stoppneumonia.org/)
World Pneumonia Day - (http://www.who.int/life-course/news/events/world-pneumonia-day-2018/en/)