World Pneumonia Day is annually celebrated across the globe on 12th November to create awareness among the general public about Pneumonia, a fatal infection and the methods to prevent the infection.
The World Pneumonia day was first celebrated on 12th November 2009 by the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia.
The World Pneumonia Day 2020 will be held amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, which is increasing the death toll due to Pneumonia.
Background:
World Pneumonia Day was established by the Stop Pneumonia initiative in 2009 to raise awareness and advocate for a global action.
Note:
Stop Pneumonia Initiative and Every Breath Counts Coalition have partnered to focus on to take action about Pneumonia.
Stop Pneumonia Initiative:
i.The Stop Pneumonia Initiative provides an opportunity to the communities who have suffered the consequences of pneumonia and who lack access to the interventions to save lives.
ii.This initiative was spearheaded by the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Every Breath Counts Coalition:
i.Every Breath Counts Coalition is a public-private partnership to support the governments to end preventable child pneumonia deaths by 2030.
ii.This coalition of UN agencies, businesses, donors and Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is committed to support the governments of around 10 countries to solve the burdens of pneumonia.
Pneumonia:
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection which affects the alveoli of the lungs and fills it with pus and fluids. This will result in breathing difficulties due to limited oxygen intake.
Cause:
i.The infection is caused by the viruses, bacteria and fungi which spreads through the airborne droplets from cough and sneeze.
ii.The common cause of pneumonia in children are
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenzae
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Pneumocystis jirovecii.
Methods of prevention:
i.Reduced exposure to indoor air pollution
ii.Adequate Nutrition
iii.Immunization
iv.Avoid smoking near children
v.Improved housing conditions
Three key vaccines for children under 5 years:
- Pneumococcal conjugate Vaccine
- Measles Rubella Vaccine
- Pentavalent Vaccine
Key Points:
i.stoppneumonia.org stated that the COVID-19 pandemic could add around 1.9 million to the death tolls of 2020.
ii.The pandemic could increase the all the cause factors of pneumonia deaths by around 75%.
iii.The disruption in the healthcare services due to the pandemic can result in an additional 2.3 million child deaths which includes 35% from Pneumonia and newborn sepsis.
