Pneumonia second killer disease among infants -FG

The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja stated that Pneumonia remained second killer disease among infants aged between zero to five years after Malaria.

According to statistics, these deaths are most prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, while Nigeria accounts for over 100, 000 deaths where nearly one million children died of Pneumonia in 2013 globally.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, made this disclosure during a press briefing in commemoration of this years World Pneumonia and Prematurity Days.

He said, “Globally, Pneumonia is the leading single cause of under- five deaths next to neonatal causes. Pneumonia majorly affects the marginalized and the poorest children accounting for  18 per cent of cause of death in under five years and killing about one million children yearly.

“Globally, evidence has shown that Pneumonia death can be substantially reduced with simple practices such as early and exclusive breast feeding, vaccination, hand washing with soap and water and safe environment via reduction in air pollution, especially if persistent and integrated approach is adopted.

“To improve continuum of care along the health system, the Integrated Community Case Management, of Pneumonia, diarrhea  and malaria was also adopted as a cornerstone strategy for tackling  these major causes  of under – five deaths particularly pneumonia in the community.”