Health ministry poised to check pneumonia
The Federal Ministry of Health has developed a strategy and an implementation plan to control pneumonia as part of its efforts to ensure the survival and wellbeing of children in the country.
Minister of Health, Prof Osagie Emmanuel Ehanire, disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) in Kano.
The minister, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Prof Abdurrahman Abba Sheshe, said the ministry had concluded necessary arrangements for the launch of the scheme, which is expected to take-off soon.
“It is gratifying to note that this conference has incorporated a session to discuss issues around pneumonia particularly, how to control commonly acquired pneumonia in Nigeria.
“It is hoped that the focus will be both on curative and preventive strategies, “the Minister said.
He noted that the inclusion of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine as part of routine immunisation schedule was clear demonstration of the government’s effort to bring pneumonia scourge to a minimum level.
“Other interventions of the ministry include effective management of childhood illnesses in line with approved protocols and guidelines, promotion of breastfeeding and full immunization against common diseases’’, he said.
He advocated for effective collaboration among critical line ministries with a view to looking at those issues that affect shelter, provision of clean water and air as well as undue exposure to chemicals, among others.
According to him, the recent Executive Order of the president on ending open defecation would no doubt impact positively on the environment.
He, therefore, called on members of the association to engage with policy makers so as to ensure participation in policy development and synergy of implementation activities of extant policies.