PNEUMONIA has been largely ignored by the healthofhcials.Pakistanhas been ranked among the three nations with the highest threats of pneumonia in the world.
More than 92,000 children die of pneumonia in Pakistan annually.
The World Health Organisation states that only vaccines are likely to have a significant impact on the incidence of pneumococcal disease. There are only two vaccines available for children that cover 10 to 13 different strains of the pneumonia bug.
Even though the government has introduced vaccinations throughits expanded programme on immunisation (EPI), more than 46pc of children in Pakistan remain unvaccinated.Unvaccinated children can face hospitalisation, paralysis, brain-damage, hearing-loss and even death.
This is largely because of a lack of awareness regarding the availability and safety of vaccines among the people, particularly those residing in the rural areas.
The government needs to work actively with the private sector and NGOs to create awareness among the public on how to protect their children against this deadly infection. Exclusive breastfeeding of children during the first six months after birth is one way to protect against pneumonia, but most mothers in rural areas are unaware of this.
Controlling pneumonia in children will require better preventive interventions, with broader outreach and more effective vaccines that can guarantee prevention of this infectious disease. Pakistan must work towards introducing more innovative and broader vaccines.
