Paeditaricians Call For Eradication Of Pneumonia

THE paediatricians under the aegis of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) has called for greater effort to eradicate pneumonia infections.

Pneumonia, which is the worst killer of children under 5 year globally, is the second leading cause of deaths among children under 5 in Nigeria. Its cause is often misconstrued by mothers, who often blame exposure to cold environment as the sole factor responsible for the deadly disease

At Mushin Market, Lagos, PAN carried out sensitisation programme on the disease for breastfeeding mothers on the causes and prevention modes of the infection to celebrate pneumonia day.

PAN Secretary, Dr. Ekanem Ekure, said pneumonia contributes 146,370 (17 per cent) to 861,000 deaths annually among children lower than 5 years in Nigeria.

She regretted that vaccine coverage against measles and pertussis (DPT3), which are important causes of childhood pneumonia, were 71 per cent and 47 per cent respectively in 2011, a situation which she said was 90 per cent below recommended target for immunisation coverage.

The paediatrician said intervention control mechanisms in form of exclusive breastfeeding and treatment of the disease with antibiotics “are also below recommended levels as only 45 per cent of children under five with suspected pneumonia are taken to an appropriate healthcare provider; only 23 per cent of children under 5 with suspected pneumonia receives antibiotics and approximately 13 per cent of infants less than 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed in Nigeria.”

PAN Assistant Secretary, Dr. Jide Ojo called on mothers to always wash their hands before breastfeeding their babies, engage in exclusive breastfeeding and immunise their children to prevent pneumonia.

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Paeditaricians Call For Eradication Of Pneumonia