The Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) has launched a countrywide awareness campaign called ‘Blow Away Pneumonia' from the city.
This is the second year that IAP has joined hands with Global Coalition Against Pneumonia to bring attention to pneumonia as a public health issue and prevent avoidable deaths that occur each year, said T. U. Sukumaran, the president of the IAP, at a press meet held here on Friday.
This disease kills more children than any other disease, he said. According to the World Health Organisation, pneumonia kills more than 4 lakh children in India every year.
There are over 125 organisations that are part of the global coalition and the campaign began on Saturday to mark the World Pneumonia Day.
A national sensitising programme was held at a function at the General Hospital on Friday to create awareness among the ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers as part of the launch. About 200 people participated. A poster-making competition was also held on the occasion for the nursing students.
As part of the campaign, the IAP would be organising more such seminars for health workers, school rallies and skits and in-clinic activities to raise public awareness. It is parents, healthcare professionals and policy makers who have to be aware of the disease and protect children from conditions that increase the risk of pneumonia and ensuring that the disease is diagnosed and treated early.
Preventing low birth weight in children, providing exclusive breastfeeding for six months, timely vaccinations and good nutrition go a long way to keep the disease away, said Dr. Sukumaran, who is also professor of paediatrics at the Pushpagiri Medical College.
The disease spreads through coughing or sneezing and through direct contact such as touching unwashed hands.
A CME (Continuing Medical Education) for paediatricians was organised here by the Kochi unit of the IAP to mark the Day. M. R. Nair, State president, and Tony Mampilly, president of IAP-Kochi, were among those who spoke on the occasion. Dr. Sukumaran and Prof. M. Jayakumar, additional professor of Child Health, Kottayam Medical College, led the CME sessions.
