World Pneumonia Day: 'Weak vaccination programmes cause childhood pneumonia'

Pneumonia is responsible for a one-fifth of global child mortality, despite being preventable


Our Correspondent November 13, 2014

KARACHI: Weak vaccination programmes and rampant malnutrition are the leading causes for the high rates of childhood pneumonia in Pakistan, said experts on Wednesday.

At a seminar titled 'Saving Children Together' to commemorate World Pneumonia Day at Aga Khan University (AKU), speakers said that pneumonia remained one of the main causes of the deaths of children under the age of five, responsible for a fifth of global child mortality, even though it was a preventable disease that could be managed when diagnosed early and treated promptly. They added that delay in diagnosis increased the risk of the illness becoming severe.

"The majority of pneumonia-related deaths in children are caused by two bacteria, streptococcus pneumonia and haemophilus influenza, that can be effectively targeted through vaccination," said Dr Syed Asad Ali, an associate professor at AKU's department of paediatrics and child health. "Government campaigns and the medical community should tell the public to vaccinate their children." He added that only half of the children under the age of two in Pakistan are vaccinated, with drop-outs and parents' refusal of inoculation presenting a significant challenge.



Experts stressed the need for a strong, comprehensive immunisation programme, particularly at the community level. They further reiterated the statement made by the World Health Organisation's independent Expert Review Group on Information and Accountability for Women's and Children's Health that "the political will and financial resources needed to protect the lives of children at risk of pneumonia falls well short of what is needed."

Dr Gaffar Billoo, an AKU paediatrics professor, said that children under the age of five remained at high risk of mortality in Pakistan, owing to factors such as prevalent malnutrition, indoor air pollution and a poor history of vaccination.

"Severely malnourished children are nine times more likely to die from pneumonia than children of the same age group who have adequate nutrition," said Dr Ali Faisal Saleem, an assistant professor at the AKU paediatrics department. "Unfortunately, malnutrition is widespread among children in Pakistan, with more than 50 per cent of them showing signs of severe to moderate malnutrition."

Highlighting strategies to reduce malnutrition among children, he said that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child's life, followed by continuous breastfeeding till the age of two complemented by nutritious solid food, was essential for warding off many infections, including pneumonia.

Access to safe drinking water and the adoption of healthy hygiene practices, including washing hands with soap, were also put forwarded by participants as preventive measures. They further advocated the use of improved cooking stoves, proper ventilation within living quarters and reduced exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke as measures that would go a long way towards reducing indoor pollution and, subsequently, a child's risk of developing respiratory disorders such as pneumonia.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2014.

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