Pneumonia: More Investment Needed as Nigeria Fails to Meet Target for Prevention, Treatment

As Nigeria joins the world to commemorate 2017 Pneumonia Day , more investments are being encouraged towards addressing the disease in order to improve child health, after records have indicated that Nigeria failed to attain a pass mark in its prevention and treatment.

Addressing newsmen to mark the day, with the 2017 theme being ‘Stop Pneumonia: Invest in child health’, Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR), in collaboration with Vaccine Network, which are both non-governmental organisations, have called for more action, noting that it is curable and preventable.

The Acting Director and Deputy Director (Operations), CHR, Mr. Salisu Musa said the disease affects nearly 155 million children under the age of five and kills 1.6 million children every year globally with Nigeria making its contributions in terms of percentage in the number of children affected globally.

He said this year’s theme which was apt reflects the need for investment to address pneumonia to improve child health and therefore called on donors and other stakeholders to invest time and resources in addressing the illness.

Musa further said Pneumonia Day was established in order to create and promote methods to protect against, prevent and treat the disease as well as to generate action including continued donor investment among others.

He said: “Pneumonia is a curable and preventable disease that affects nearly 155 million children under the age of five and kills 1.6 million kids every year globally. It makes it the number one killer of children under the age of five, claiming more young lives than malaria, AIDS and measles.

“This year’s theme, which is ‘Stop Pneumonia: Invest in child health’ reflects the need for investment to address pneumonia and improve child health. It is up to donors, the public, governments, and other organisations to invest time and resources in addressing this illness.

“Prevention is better than cure and immunisation is the best strategy to get rid of pneumonia instead of waiting to treat our children when they fall sick,” he added

L-R: Director, Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Wapada Balami; Permanent Secretary, FMOH, Mr, Clement Uwaifo; and Commissioner, Ministry of Health, Ogun State, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, during the 60th National Council of Health meeting...