IAP campaign against pneumonia

The global coalition against pneumonia has more than 125 member organisations. “It is important for parents to contact a paediatrician if their child is experiencing high fever,cough and chest pain. Untreated pneumonia can lead to lifelong disabilities,” says Modak.

Through the campaign,IAP wants to create awareness among parents,healthcare professionals and policymakers on importance of preventing pneumonia,protecting children from conditions that increase risk of pneumonia and ensuring the disease is diagnosed and treated early. IAP is organizing seminars for health workers,school rallies and skits,media campaigns and in-clinic activities to raise public awareness on a largely preventable disease. According to the World Health Organization,pneumonia kills more than 400,000 children in India every year.

“Pneumonia kills more children than any other disease,” said IAP president Dr T U Sukumaran. “Parents should ensure their children are at low risk by preventing low-birth weight,providing exclusive breastfeeding for six months,timely vaccinations and good nutrition,” he added.

According to WHO and UNICEF,more than two million children die of pneumonia each year,accounting for almost 1 in 5 deaths in children under five years of age. Pneumonia kills more children under five years of age than AIDS,malaria and measles combined.