[news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”breastfeeding” count=”6″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link” header_background=”#82473a”]
Tag: Pneumonia
-
FG launches Pneumonia Vaccine
The Federal Government has launched Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) to combat pneumonia in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada said the introduction of the new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is an essential response to reducing pneumonia in Nigeria.
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Arch. Yomi Awoniyi, said the newly introduced vaccine is a laudable initiative that is capable of protecting young children against pneumonia and other diseases adding; “This is another strategy aimed at reaching every child at risk of pneumonia. Therefore stakeholders who are in the fore front of disseminating information on immunization and other health sectors should as a matter of priority influence the acceptance of the newly introduced vaccine.”
The event, which held in Lokoja, Kogi State on December 22, brought together stakeholders in the health industry among whom were representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO),the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), Clinton Health and Access Initiative, GlaxoSmithKline and other partners in the routine immunization landscape in Nigeria. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the arm of Federal Ministry of Health responsible for Routine Immunization in Nigeria was also in attendance.
The Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Ado Muhammad is optimistic that when the nation achieves full time national coverage of the vaccine, Nigeria will avert over 600,000 childhood deaths over 3 years.
He assured that the Federal government will ensure the availability of the “lifesaving” vaccines for the Nigerian child towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4).
On his part, WHO Country Director, Dr. Rui VAS, said “The introduction of PCV in Nigeria will ultimately improve the Child Health outcome of the country and accelerate the progress of the country towards achieving the MDG4 Goal”.
The Country Director who was represented by Dr. Musa Omotosho said over 177,000 children under five years of age die from Pneumococcal diseases annually in Nigeria, and that “The introduction of PCV into the country EPI schedule will ultimately improve the health outcome of children in the country”
Also, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization NPHCDA, Dr. Emmanuel Abanida said “We are happy this is happening at this critical time in Nigeria. Globally, pneumonia kills nearly 1 million children younger than 5 years of age each year. This is greater than the number of deaths from any infectious disease, such as HIV infection, malaria or tuberculosis. This is the reason why we are more than happy to jump start the administration of this Vaccine to ensure our children live healthy life.”
He implored “all partners to be unrelenting in their support until every child in all African has protection against infection by bacteria or viruses that may cause pneumonia”
Mr. Lekan Asuni,the Managing Director GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical in Nigeria, the manufacturer of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, stated that the introduction of the vaccine will bring a remarkable improvement in the reduction of childhood death related to Pneumococcal diseases.
The introduction of the new vaccine will initially commence in some states in Nigeria, However once nationwide introduction is achieved this historical vaccine introduction will ensure the availability of the PCV through the public health system at no cost for all children less than 1 year of age.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, which affects millions of people worldwide each year.
Pneumonia infections can often be prevented and can usually be treated.
-
Pneumonia a major infants’ killer – Minister
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, Tuesday announced that the government has put in place measures to contain Pneumonia, regarded as second only to Malaria in infants’ mortality across the globe.
Reports say about one million children die of pneumonia globally in 2013.
According to the reports, Sub- Saharan Africa and South Asia has the largest share of the figure, while Nigeria accounts for over 100,000 deaths.
Alhassan, who made the disclosure at a press briefing to commemorate the 2014 World Pneumonia and Prematurity Day on Tuesday in Abuja, said, ” Globally, pneumonia is the leading single cause of under- five deaths next to neonatal causes. Pneumonia majorly affects the marginalized and the poorest children, accounting for 18 per cent of cause of deaths in children under five years and killing about one million children yearly.
“Globally, evidence had shown that pneumonia death can be substantially reduced with simple practices such as early and exclusive breast feeding, vaccination, hand washing with soap and water and safe environment via reduction in air pollution, especially if persistent and integrated approach is adopted.
“To improve continuum of care along the health system, the Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM), of pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria was also adopted as a cornerstone strategy for tackling these major causes of under – five deaths, particularly pneumonia in the community.”
-
How to prevent killer diseases
Pneumonia, diarrhoea and hepatitis B are preventable, a community health physician at Lagos University Teaching Hospital(LUTH), Dr David Karatu has said.
According to him, they are known as childhood killer diseases because they affect more children than the adults.
Others are diphtheria, measles, pertussis or whooping cough, poliomyelitis, rubella, tetanus and childhood tuberculosis (TB), anaemia, asthma and bronchiolitis cancer, chicken pox, dental carries, Down syndrome, ricketts, congenital heart disease, influenza, leukemia, meningitis, rheumatic fever, and others.
He said Nigeria may not reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 because it has not achieved much in the past 13 years it started the programme
He said: “In a scale of 100, we should be at 25 and I don’t think it will be possible to reach the expected goal within two years, unless with God’s miracle.”
-
Combating pneumonia
Today is the Annual World Pneumonia Day. Tagged “Innovating to Fight Child Pneumonia” the day is set aside to raise awareness, promote interventions, to protect, prevent and treat pneumonia to generate actions to combat pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a form if acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs, making breathing painful and limiting oxygen intake. This is a preventable and treatable illness via vaccines, antibiotic treatment, and improved sanitation.
To combat pneumonia, the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia announced that advocates will call upon governments to invest more in the developments of new diagnostics and treatments.
This year’s activists are focusing on the clear link between Pneumonia and Diarrhoea. More than 99 per cent of deaths from Pneumonia occur in developing countries, where access to health care is out of reach for many children.
According to the UNICEF progress reports with updates on the trends and levels in under-five mortality over the past two decades, the good news is that, the world is making progress, having saved nearly 90 million lives over the past two decades.
“The Bad News: The progress isn’t fast enough. Right now, we are 13 years behind schedule. That means we won’t meet MDG 4 until 2028. And 35 million more children will die – children whose lives could have been saved had we kept our promise in 2015.
“In 2000, the global community made a promise to children — to reduce by two thirds the risk that a child will not live to see his or her fifth birthday. The deadline for this promise is 2015.
“A new UNICEF report shows that, despite impressive progress, we are way behind schedule. The global effort to keep this promise needs a kick in the pants. This is the reason for “A Promise Renewed,” the report stated.
According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, (CME), 2013, “The Global burden of under-five deaths has fallen steadily since 1990- 12.6 per cent, 1995- 10.9 per cent, 2000- 9.2 per cent, 2005-8.2 per cent, 2010-7.0 per cent, 2015-6.6 per cent deaths.
The Global Action Plan for the prevention and control of Pneumonia (GAPP) released by World Health Organisation (WHO), and UNICEF on (WPD), 2009, finds that 1million children’s lives could be saved every year if prevention and treatment interventions for pneumonia were widely introduced in the World’s poorest countries.Dr. F.A Onaolapo, Onaolapo of Victory Clinics, Lagos, said pneumonia is a bacterial infection of the lungs, “Bacteria and viruses are the primary causes of pneumonia. When a person breathes pneumonia-causing germs into his lungs and his body’s immune system cannot otherwise prevent entry, the organisms settle in small air sacs called alveoli and continue multiplying. As the body sends white blood cells to attack the infection, the sacs become filed with fluid and pus – causing pneumonia,” he added.
Dr Onaolapo advised that when coughing, the mouth should be covered so as not to contaminate others. “The same goes for an infected wife not to kiss her husband and vice-versa.”
He said” Pneumonia is a communicable disease which is transferred through air. It is usually more serious in children. “Symptoms of Pneumonia are cough, chest pain which brings out “sprotum” not too white or yellowish saliva,” Dr. Onaolapo said.
Some people are more likely than others to develop pneumonia. Individuals at higher risk include those who: Smoke, Abuse alcohol, Have other medical conditions: such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, asthma, or HIV/AIDS. Those younger than a year or older than 65 are also at risk.
Dr. Alabi, De-Nikky Hospital and Maternity Care, Lagos, said majority of people are so unhygienic that they are not conscious of their contaminated environment, “The immunity of a child can be reduced if he is not immunised from birth. Most of our women don’t come for immunisation. They prefer the Trado-Medical treatment, which has nothing to do with Orthodox Medicine.”
-
What to do if you have pneumonia
A lot of times we make a lot of assumptions about our health. A lot of people also opt for self medication, which more often than not complicates things for them. Recently, 27-year-old Desmond was ill, and as usual he thought it was malaria. He bought some over the counter drugs and took medication for about a week. Instead of getting better, he actual got worse and almost gave up the ghost. Luckily, a friend took him to the hospital where it was diagnosed that he had pneumonia. As simple as the ailment was, it almost cost him his life.
Pneumonia is a bacterial or viral infection of the lungs. Symptoms can include fever, chills, shortness of breath, coughing that produces phlegm, and chest pain. Pneumonia can usually be treated successfully at home with antibiotics but hospitalisation may be required in some cases.
It is an infection of the air sacs in the lungs and is caused by bacteria, viruses or, rarely, fungi. Most cases of pneumonia are caused by bacteria, most common bacteria called streptococcus pneumonia, but viral pneumonia is more common in children.
The lungs are made up of separate lobes three in the right lung and two in the left lung. Pneumonia can affect only one lobe of the lungs or it may be widespread in the lungs. The condition can be classified by the area of the lung affected and by the cause of the infection.
So, the big question is who can develop pneumonia? Experts say that anyone can be affected, but some groups are at greater risk – these include babies and toddlers – particularly those born prematurely as well as people who have had a recent viral infection – such as a cold or flu. The next categories of people that can be prone to pneumonia are smokers, people with chronic lung conditions and people with suppressed immune systems. In addition, people who drink excessive alcohol and those who have had strokes in the past may also be affected
The most common symptoms of pneumonia are cough, fever, which may be mild or high, shaking chills as well as shortness of breath, which may only occur when you climb stairs. In addition, the person may also experience a sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when he breathes deeply or cough.
Headache, excessive sweating, clammy skin, loss of appetite, low energy and fatigue are some of the other symptoms that the patient experiences in the process. Symptoms also can vary, depending on whether your pneumonia is bacterial or viral.
In bacterial pneumonia, your temperature may rise as high as 105 degrees F. Here, lips and nailbeds change colour due to lack of oxygen in the blood. A patient’s mental state may be confused or delirious. The initial symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as influenza symptoms: fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is better to see your doctor immediately to verify your health status. If you have pneumonia, your lungs may make crackling, bubbling, and rumbling sounds when you inhale. You also may be wheezing, and it may be hard to hear sounds of breathing in some areas of your chest.
You would then be asked to have a chest X-ray and some other tests, including blood test to check white blood cell count, blood gases to see if enough oxygen is getting into your blood from the lungs as well as CT scan of the chest.
There would also be a need to do sputum tests to look for the organism and pleural fluid culture if there is fluid in the space surrounding the lungs. Measuring how much oxygen is moving through your bloodstream and Bronchoscopy may also be required.
-
‘Pneumonia kills 177,000 children yearly’
OVER 177, 000 children under the age of five die every year from pneumonia in Nigeria.
The Director of Breath of Life, Dr Regina Ejemo-Nwadiaro, revealed this at a workshop organised for community volunteers on pneumonia prevention and control in Calabar over the weekend.
Breath of Life is a programme initiated by the wife of the Cross River State governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke, to tackle pneumonia in children.
Ejemo-Nwadiaro said Breath of Life, in collaboration with the Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realisation (POWER) is committed to reducing the disease in the state, thereby reducing child mortality and helping the country achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Mrs. Imoke said pneumonia kills more children in a year than malaria and HIV/AIDS put together.
According to her: “If we are to have a future, we must protect our children. The good news is that pneumonia is treatable and preventable.”
She regretted that most of the deaths that resulted from the disease were due to lack of knowledge and hoped the workshop would go a long way to redress the situation.
She said the state is leading in the fight against pneumonia and intends to keep it that way to achieve the MDGs.