In an unprecedented move towards prioritizing child health globally, Barcelona, Spain, recently played host to the World’s first conference on Childhood Pneumonia. This groundbreaking initiative has been launched as a critical response to the fact that pneumonia, despite being the leading infectious killer of children, continues to be sidelined both nationally and internationally. A startling statistic reveals a grim reality that sees the demise of a child under the age of 5 every 39 seconds due to this disease. The Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia, led by nine prominent children’s health organisations like UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gavi, and others, has taken the first steps in this battle with its inaugural conference under the theme ‘Fighting for Breath’.
About Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a severe lung infection that can manifest with various causes including bacteria, viruses or fungi present in the air. It is particularly threatening due to its contagious nature, spreading via coughs or sneezes, through fluids like blood during childbirth, or from contamination on surfaces.
Pneumonia Vaccination
Bacterial pneumonia can be easily combated with vaccines. Three doses of the primary vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), are recommended. Also, advances in medicine are seeing the development of a new vaccine targeting one of the primary viral causes of pneumonia. India is on track to implement a nationwide rollout of PCV under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
Vulnerabilities and Prevention
Children with immature or weakened immune systems are more susceptible to pneumonia. This includes newborns and children affected by undernourishment or diseases like HIV. Prevention methods hinge on reducing risk factors like malnutrition, lack of vaccination coverage, and limited access to correct diagnosis and prompt treatment.
It’s worth noting here that the highest at-risk group comprises children in poverty due to high rates of malnutrition, low vaccine coverage and limited access to a correct diagnosis and treatment. An alarming global truth is that almost all deaths from childhood pneumonia are preventable. Effective strategies include vaccination, adequate nutrition, the reduction of risk factors like air pollution which make the lungs more vulnerable to infection, maintaining good hygiene practices, and treating with cost-effective antibiotics and oxygen.
Role of Breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a child’s life can lead to a 23% reduction in pneumonia incidence. Conversely, infants who aren’t breastfed are 15 times more likely to die from pneumonia.
Pneumonia Incidence: Global and India
Globally, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and Pakistan account for over half of all deaths due to pneumonia among children under 5 years old. In India, pneumonia annually accounts for 14% of under-five deaths. This sobering statistic underscores the dire need for comprehensive and focused efforts to tackle this disease that claims far too many young lives prematurely.