WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY: 130,000 Nigerian children die annually

WorldStage Newsonline—As the World Pneumonia Day is observed across the world, Executive Director, National
Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Ado Muhammed on Wednesday revealed that about
130,000 Nigerian children die annually of pneumonia related diseases.
Speaking at a press briefing to mark the day, Muhammed said less than half of all children with suspected
pneumonia are taken for treatment while just 23 per cent receive antibiotics in Nigeria.
Dr Muhammed revealed that the ailment is prevalent among children from low income families, saying the
130,000 Nigerian children lost to pneumonia every year is the second highest number in the world.
He said, "less than half of all children with suspected pneumonia are taken for treatment and just 23 per cent
received antibiotics in Nigeria. Amongst families on very low incomes where the risk of child pneumonia related
death is the highest, the numbers are dramatically lower.
"CSOs should be our ombudsmen and community liaisons to track programme and policy implementation while at
same time stimulating community demand for immunisation services."
The NPHCDA boss emphasized on the need for mothers to do exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months;
stressing that it is an important and easy way to help protect children from child killer diseases.
Mohammed assured Nigerians that the Federal Government had taken up the gauntlet by providing necessary
drugs to tackle the ailment. He stressed that the government is committed to increasing access to antibiotic
treatment for children as part of the Saving One Million Lives initiatives.
Dr. Emmanuel Abanida, Director of Disease Control and Immunization in the agency revealed that the
government had initiated plans to carry out immunisation in eight states prone to pneumonia.
Abanida also pointed out that the introduction of Pentavalent Vaccine will reduce pneumonia pandemic
drastically in the country.