Pneumonia

Pneumonia has claimed the lives of over 800,000 children under 5 years old. This amounts to 2,200 a day. A child dies to this disease every 39 seconds. Poverty, lack of proper water, indoor air pollution, and inadequate access to healthcare are linked to the high death rates of childhood pneumonia. An estimated 18 million more health workers are needed by 2030 to prevent, diagnose and treat pneumonia as well as to reach the SDG targets on universal health coverage.

The Integrated Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD) sets forth an integrated framework of key interventions proven to effectively protect children’s health, prevent disease and appropriately treat children who do fall ill with diarrhoea and pneumonia. Along with the WHO, in a plan to end preventable deaths of children due to childhood pneumonia, presented a three pronged plan. The three prongs are: Prevent, Protect, Diagnose and Treat.

Prevention:

Protective interventions provide the foundations for keeping children healthy and free of disease.

Prevention:

Preventative interventions help stop disease transmission and prevent children from becoming ill.

Diagnosing and Treatment:

Treatment interventions – when timely and appropriate – can cure children from pneumonia and ensure survival.

To find out more: https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/pneumonia/