The Nigerian government has been urged by Save the Children International (SCI) to lead the fight against pediatric pneumonia by supplying enough oxygen and medications in hospitals.
According to the organization, pneumonia in children under five is the leading cause of death in Nigeria.
This was said on Monday in Dutse, Jigawa State, during a celebration of World Pneumonia Day by Famari Barro, Country Director for Save the Children International.
“Championing the Fight to Stop Pneumonia,” this year’s World Pneumonia Day theme, reminds stakeholders that “urgent action is needed to protect the 700,000 children who are denied the chance to reach their fifth birthday every year,” according to Mr. Barro.
“Globally, at least one child under five dies every 45 seconds from pneumonia. That is more than 700,000 children every year,” she said.
“Almost all those deaths are preventable through vaccination, adequate nutrition, access to hand washing and basic health services, including access to oxygen treatment at the primary healthcare level.
“Almost a third of all pneumonia deaths across the globe are caused by air pollution. The climate crisis is a child rights crisis and poses a serious threat to children’s health and well-being,” the official said.
Although he acknowledged the government of Nigeria’s efforts in the fight against pneumonia, he claimed that thousands of children lack access to the vital medical care and treatments that can treat pneumonia and save their lives.
“Even though the government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Health have demonstrated its commitment towards ending child death from pneumonia, there is a need for greater commitment to sustain the momentum and accelerate progress in the fight against pneumonia.
“The National Pneumonia Control Strategy and Implementation Plan launched by the Ministry of Health in 2020, requires budgetary allocations to ensure its full implementation. With pneumonia accounting for 20 per cent of under-five deaths in Nigeria, reducing pneumonia deaths will put Nigeria on track towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030. Currently, Nigeria is still below 50 per cent of the required rate for SDG goal three,” Mr Barro said.
Save the Children’s contribution to the fight against pneumonia
By working with GlaxoSmithKline on the Integrated Sustainable Childhood Pneumonia and Infectious Diseases Reduction in Nigeria (INSPIRING) Project, Mr. Barro claimed that Save the Children has been at the forefront of the fight against pneumonia in Jigawa and Lagos states (GSK).
“The fight must continue, and government must continue to champion this fight to protect thousands of children who die every year from this killer disease,” he said.
“Pneumonia can be treated if sick children have access to timely care and treatment. Sadly, for many children and their families, access to timely essential and life-saving treatments such as oxygen and antibiotics remains the difference between life and death. The good news is, Pneumonia is no longer a ‘forgotten’ killer disease,” said Mr Barro.
Adamu Isah, Chief of Party, INSPIRING Project, Save the Children International, stated in his remarks that interventions in the states of Jigawa and Lagos have proven that the means to combat pneumonia and put an end to child deaths are known.
Dr. Isah, a medical professional, claimed that Save the Children has improved healthcare workers’ abilities in both states to more effectively identify and treat children with pneumonia and has donated high-quality and necessary equipment and instruments to medical facilities for improved quality of care.
According to him, community initiatives have raised awareness of pneumonia among caregivers and the general public, as well as their involvement in the standard of healthcare they receive.
