Two million children die each year across the world after contracting pneumonia. Nearly 27% of deaths of children on account of pneumonia are reported from India; 40% of pneumonia cases occur in India. More than 50 organisations working in the field of children’s health in different parts of the world have formed a coalition to observe November 2 each year as world pneumonia day, starting this year.
“Low birth weight, malnutrition and anaemia compound the danger of contracting pneumonia. 26% of children in India are born with low birth weight, which also means low immunity,” saidDr Preethi Galagali, a Rajajinagar paediatrician.
There are two varieties of bacteria responsible for pneumonia — streptococcus pneumoniae and haemophilus influenza type 2 (Hib). “Pneumonia caused by these two bacteria is largely preventable through vaccination,” said Dr Nitin Shah, chairperson of the India chapter of the Asian Strategic Alliance for pneumococcal disease prevention (ASAP).
“We surveyed pneumonia deaths in the state to find that in August, there were 61 deaths. Pneumonia deaths rise in August, September and October,” says Usha Vasankar, director, health and family welfare department. Pneumonia occurs due to complications in upper respiratory tract, influenza or swine flu.
Comments