The Indian Academy of Pediatrics

HEALTH

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics supports the ‘‘Say No to Pneumonia’ campaign on World Pneumonia Day 2012

With India accounting for about 25% of the world’s total pneumonia deaths, pediatricians emphasize on the importance of preventive measures to curb the pneumonia threat

Mumbai, 6 November 2012: On the occasion of World Pneumonia Day on November 12, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) will be flagging off the ‘Say No to Pneumonia’, a campaign to increase awareness about the disease and its preventive measures. This is to strengthen efforts to decrease infant child mortality rate due to Pneumonia. Globally, pneumonia accounts for 20% deaths among children below 5 years becoming the leading cause of death in the age group. According to the IAP, annually, India witnesses 45 million pneumonia cases among children under 5 years of which 0.37 million die due to pneumonia.

Commenting on the pneumonia deaths among young children in India, Dr. Rohit C Agrawal, National IAP President said “Globally, pneumonia kills an estimated 1.4 million children under the age of five years every year – more than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. It is alarming that India accounts for almost 25% of the world’s pneumonia child deaths. Creating a clean environment, addressing the issue of malnutrition, breast feeding for the first 6 months of life, timely immunization and appropriate healthcare delivery for children in India will significantly reduce mortality rates due to vaccine preventable diseases like pneumonia.”

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory disease in which the lung is infected by bacteria, virus, fungus or parasite.  According to the WHO, Streptococcus pneumonia responsible for Pneumococcal diseases (PD) is the prime cause for hospitalizations and death among children below 5 years [annually, approx. 0.9 million deaths worldwide and 1,20,000 deaths in India]. Pneumococcal disease comprises of - pneumonia (lung infection), meningitis (brain infection), bacteremia (blood infection), otitis media (ear infection) and sinusitis (sinus infection). Infants, neonates, premature babies aged 24-59 months with underdeveloped lungs, narrow airways, poor nutrition and immature immune system are at high risk of contracting these infections.

Farah Khan, renowned choreographer and filmmaker says, “As parents we want the best for our children. Their health and overall wellbeing is also our primary responsibility and concern. Due to low body immunity often young children are prone to cold-cough conditions and respiratory infections like pneumonia. I urge parents to consult their pediatrician and consider immunization as a preventive measure for vaccine-preventable diseases like pneumonia and measles.”

Elaborating on the efforts of the campaign, Dr. Sailesh G Gupta, Secretary General, IAP says “Through the ‘Say No to Pneumonia’ Campaign IAP aims to create awareness among parents, healthcare professionals and policymakers on the importance of preventing pneumonia, protecting children from conditions that increase the risk of pneumonia and ensuring that it is diagnosed and treated early. IAP is organizing in-clinic activities and seminars for health workers to raise public awareness on a disease that is highly preventable.”

Pneumonia can be an economic burden for the families and vaccination is therefore a safe and cost-effective preventive measure. The WHO has identified the inclusion of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in the national immunization programs as a priority in countries where the mortality rate of children under five 5 years is more than 50 per 1,000 live births, or where more than 50,000 children die annually. India is an ideal candidate for the inclusion of PCV in the national immunization program.

Dr. Rohit C Agrawal further adds “While the Government of India is working towards introducing favorable solutions to reduce the disease burden, it is important for pediatricians, pulmonologists, and the public to join this drive against childhood pneumonia and take appropriate action to save young lives. Vaccination is the best preventive measure for vaccine preventable diseases like measles, H. influenzae and pneumococcal diseases.”

About Indian Academy of Pediatrics

Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) is a professional body of Pediatricians (Child specialists) from all over the country, with membership strength over 20,300, and with 26 state level branches, and 296 city and district level branches. IAP has 22 specialty chapters and 8 specialty groups. IAP has existed for 50 years, and will celebrate its Golden Jubilee year in 2013, with a commemorative stamp release and conference orations by National leaders like His Excellency APJ Abdul Kalam. IAP hopes to be the leading body to voice issues concerning young children and to join with the Government and Policy makers in accelerating the reduction of childhood mortality and morbidity such that we can come closer to MDG4. IAP, through its vast and penetrative network of committed pediatricians and learned resource persons is well equipped to partner with the Government of India in launching National health programs that will help India achieve MDG4 goals. IAP conducts several academic (training) programs for its members and the lay community on its own and in partnership with organizations like UNICEF and WHO, in addition to GOI and State Governments. The largest Neonatal Resuscitation Program being managed anywhere in India today, is by IAP.