Florencwe Udoh
5 November 2009
THE dreaded pneumonia disease kills thousands of Nigerians every year with half of the deaths being children under five years, it has been revealed. And every 15 minutes, a child dies of pneumonia in Nigeria.
Lagos state commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed this on Monday in Lagos as part of activities to mark the first World Pneumonia Day with the them 'Fight Pneumonia, save a child"
Therefore to effectively combat the acclaimed leading childhood killer disease, pneumonia, the commissioner called for a revitalized focus on policies guiding the management of the disease and also more allocation of funds from the Federal Government.
His words: "statistics show that pneumonia kills more than four million Nigerians every year and half of these deaths are children under five years.
Thus every 15 minutes, a child is lost to pneumonia and 5,500 children die every day especially in rural areas where medical care and facilities is inadequate."
According to the commissioner, the death rate is high in Lagos state, though it is worst in the South Eastern geo-political region.
However, he could not readily give the specific statistics.
Also speaking at the occasion, a consultant pediatrician, Prof. Oluyinka Ogundipe pointed out that "pneumonia is both preventable and treatable, therefore we owe our children the duty of protecting them from pneumonia."
He mentioned ways of protecting ourself from pneumonia to include improving nutrition, more of fruits and vegetables should be eaten daily; reduction of household indoor air pollution and use of zinc supplements daily to reduce occurance of acute respiratory infections.
Pneumonia, he defined as an acute infection of the lungs which can be caused by organisms such as bacteria and viruses. Symptoms include persistent cough, cold, difficulty in breathing and pains in the chest including other symptoms.
Also speaking at the occasion, the project Director of Health and Sustainable Development Association of Nigeria (HESDAN) Mr. Tayo Fariogun said "in Nigeria, pneumonia is regarded as one of the most potent childhood killer disease that caused many families emotional pains, loss of finances and productive hours just as it has million of children sick with pains and trauma.
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