Pneumonia kills one million children yearly – Child health experts

 

Doctors have estimated that more than one million children under the age of five die of pneumonia infections yearly.

They also stated that pneumonia is the second highest killer of children in Nigeria – after malaria, as it accounts for 17 per cent of total deaths of children in the country.

The experts who spoke at different fora in Ogun  and Cross River states, as well as in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,  as part of activities to mark the 2013 World Pneumonia Day,  identified ignorance, environmental pollution and poor vaccination rates as reasons why  Nigeria records one of  the highest deaths from this infection.

Public health and child health consultant, Dr. Rotimi Adesanya,  who spoke at a symposium and screening programme for pre-school children in Magboro, Ogun State,  noted that awareness on the causes and prevention of the disease is low in the country.

Adesanya,  who is the founder of a child care foundation, Betterlifemission, added that many believe that the disease is caused by exposure to cold weather instead of germs.

According to him, a survey conducted by the foundation among teachers, mothers and middle-level health workers in Lagos State showed that three out of every four people interviewed thought that pneumonia was caused by drinking cold water or exposure to air conditioning and cold weather while others were ignorant of the cause of the disease.

He said, “Globally, an estimated one million children die of pneumonia yearly and 160,000 of these deaths occur in Nigeria because we are ignorant of the factors responsible for pneumonia.

“Pneumonia is a communicable disease caused by bacteria, fungi and virus gotten from dirty environment,  not cold weather. The organisms that cause pneumonia are highly contagious, the viruses or bacteria can be spread to others by coughing and sneezing, inhaling germs from dirty environments.

“Pneumonia is not prevented or treated by wearing sweaters or keeping warm. Use of cough mixtures in children does not stop pneumonia. Drinking cold drinks does not cause pneumonia. Eating hot meals and keeping warm is not a solution to pneumonia.”

Adesanya said as deadly as the disease is, it is preventable if babies are vaccinated and breastfed for the first six months of their lives.

He noted that mothers, caregivers, school teachers and health care workers must be educated on how preventive measures such as regular hand washing, sanitary and environmental hygiene and good nutrition can help reduce pneumonia infections especially in children.

Adesanya  added, “Exclusive breast feeding naturally prevents and protects children from pneumonia, diarrhea, malnutrition, and other diseases. A child with pneumonia in a creche where hygiene practices are poor will quickly infect others. Parents must ensure that their children attend schools and day-care centres where the owners adhere to good personal hygiene.”

Also, the National President, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to include pneumococcal vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule of infants in Nigeria.

Enabulele said, “We want to appeal for the introduction of the pneumococcal vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule, as a primary prevention of the disease. Vaccination against pneumonia infections has been proven to be highly effective globally.”

The physician added that exposure to smoke from cigarettes and the environment could lead to pneumonia infections and called for the enforcement of the ban on smoking in public places as a step towards protecting innocent children and non-smokers against the dangers of second hand/passive smoking.

The NMA appealed to governments at all levels to fund health care at the primary and secondary levels to bridge the gap in access to health care service across various strata of the society.

Also, wife of the Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Obioma Imoke, called on stakeholders in the state to join hands in sensitising the public on the dangers of pneumonia.

Obioma made this call on Tuesday in Calabar, Cross Rivers State at a sensitisation and advocacy rally organised by a non-governmental organisation, Breath of Life.

She said, “Pneumonia is a silent killer. At least one child dies every 20 seconds in Nigeria. It is the number one killer of children in the world and second in Nigeria. We appeal to religious leaders, spiritual fathers, opinion leaders, youth organisations and faith-based organisations to sensitise the public on the dangers of pneumonia so that our children will stay alive.’’

Imoke condemned the attitude of some religious leaders who prohibit their members from taking orthodox medicine, describing it as an “act of wickedness.’’

She urged parents to patronise health care facilities instead of unorthodox practitioners  when they observe symptoms such as fever, cold or abdominal pains in their children.

Imoke noted that the state government would not relent in its efforts towards increasing access to vaccines and reducing deaths of children under the age of five.