Pneumonia kills 150,000 Nigerians yearly-Expert

From Alice Ajakaye, Lagos

Experts says Pneumonia kills more than 146,370 Nigerians mostly children yearly.

They explained that pneumonia is a disease that can be prevented by taking proper precautions, like healthy living to help reduce the high rate of death among children.

President, Pediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) professor Olowu Adebiyi speaking at the World Pneumonia Day celebration in Nigeria, titled: “Universal access to pneumonia prevention and care,” organized by Sanofi and PAN held in Lagos, stressed that if citizens are educated well on pneumonia as they were, when Ebola came into the country, pneumonia also will become a thing of the past in Nigeria.

Olowu urged government to ensure that free health care to every child to tackle the disease.

He said that to prevent pneumonia there are certain things parent need to put in place, “parent need to avoid overcrowding in homes, promote retinue immunization and expand nutrition adequacy for the children”.

On his part, a Consultant pediatricians, UCH, professor Adegoke Falade noted that to prevent and protect a child from pneumonia, there must be exclusive breast feeding for 6 month adding that hand washing is extremely important for pneumonia not only for ebola prevention.

He stressed that Nigeria is the second country that have children under the age of 5 years die of pneumonia, explaining that government should improve care sections in healthcare centers.

Falade said that anti-biotics and oxygen are useful for pneumonia and that parent should avoid unnecessary exposure of children to cold, also calling on the parent to put on cooperation among themselves as husband and wife to fight pneumonia.

Consultant pediatricians, Lagos state university teaching hospital (LUTH) Dr Ekanem Ekure added that symptoms to look out for in a child who has pneumonia are cough and fast breathing.

However, Sanofi has promise their dedication to help tackle pneumonia nd put an end to the disease across Africa.