Port Blair, Nov. 11: Childhood pneumonia continues to be the topmost infectious killer among under-five children, contributing to 16.2 percent of under-five deaths in India. World Pneumonia Day will be observed tomorrow (Nov.12) with an aim to accelerate action against Childhood Pneumonia by generating awareness on protection, prevention and treatment aspects, to enhance early identification and care seeking behaviours (management) among parents and caregivers; and also to promote Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and awareness generation on indoor and outdoor pollution. SAANS (Social Awareness & Action to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully) campaign will ensure health system strengthening and community awareness towards childhood pneumonia. The SAANS campaign from 12th November, 2022 to 28th February 2023 will carry the tagline ‘Pneumonia nahi, toh bachpan sahi’ which clearly establishes the positive impact of a Pneumonia Free Childhood.
Meanwhile, the general public have been requested to extend their co-operation to ANMs and ASHAs during community approach for early identification of cases of childhood pneumonia and early management of pneumonia in under-five children.