New Delhi:
To effectively mount efforts against childhood pneumonia in India, Save the Children, brought out a report – “Situation Analysis of Pneumonia in India”. The report, launched on Tuesday by Dr. Ajay Khera, Commissioner, Maternal & Child Health, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, encapsulates results from an in-depth assessment of five high-burden states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, mapping the challenges and calling for action.
Speaking at the report release, Dr. Ajay Khera explained how it focuses on improving the quality of care at birth, which involves equipping ASHA workers and mobilizing mothers to healthcare centres. He further added, ” Health & Wellness centre is a new entrant in the health system, which will help reaching out to grassroot level. Government has set really ambitious targets to tackle childhood maternity and is totally committed for this cause”.
Anindit Roy Chowdhary, Director, Programmes, Save the Children added, “Pneumonia is still the leading cause of death in children and accounts for 14.3% of under 5 deaths in India, which translates to 1 child death every 4 minutes. India contributes to 17% of global under 5 pneumonia deaths. Addressing childhood Pneumonia is one of the three centenary commitments of Save the Children and we are committed to end preventable pneumonia deaths. This current report, entitled, “Fighting for breath in India”, that we are launching, is a step towards that commitment.”
Key findings of the report reveal that the overall prevalence rate of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) among Under-5 children in the 5 study states was at 13.4%, while Bihar recorded the highest prevalence (18.2%), followed by U.P. (15.9%), Jharkhand (12.8%), Madhya Pradesh (11.6%), and Rajasthan recording the lowest prevalence (8.4%).
Similarly the household air pollution is a important risk factor for childhood pneumonia. Children from households using improved fuel for cooking LPG had a preventive effect Study reveals 2% lower probability of reporting ARI in households using clean fuels for cooking.
Also the ARI prevalence was 4% higher among chidren, wherein breastfeeding was initiated later than one hour after childbirth and 2.4% higher in cases where they were exclusively breast fed for less than 6 months.
Meanwhile the report also revealed that almost 81% caregivers preferred private sector for availing medical treatment for pneumonia in children.
Pneumonia continues to remain a public health problem in India and this study (in line with Prevent, Protect and Treat framework), also suggests policy recommendations (see attachment), vital for tacking pneumonia in the country.
Save the Children and UNICEF have entered into a partnership at global level in the fight against childhood pneumonia. Save the Children, India is also committed to support the efforts of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, in the roll out of the recently launched SAANS campaign on Pneumonia.
