BY OLUWATOSIN IGHOTEGUONO
Medical Experts want government at all levels to commit to reducing by 50% air pollution and other related factors responsible for pneumonia deaths by 2030.
They made this submission while speaking with Positive FM on the occasion of this year’s world pneumonia day with the theme” CHAMPIONING THE FIGHT AGAINST PNEUMONIA” celebrated annually on 12th of November.
World Pneumonia Day was established in 2009 by the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia under the Stop Pneumonia Initiative.
According to the world health organization, WHO’s report , pneumonia claims the lives of around 2.5 million people every year Including children under the ages of five years.
A consultant pediatrician, prof John Oketuyi defined pneumonia as a form of acute respiratory infection that affect the lungs prevalent in children.
Prof Oketuyi cleared the air on the misconception that the disease was caused by cold.
The consultant pediatrician also disclosed that Nigeria had the most prevalent cases of pneumonia and pneumonia deaths killing thousands of people annually mostly children.
An Akure based medical practitioner, Dr Temitope Akinwunmi however said Pneumonia could be prevented from the start by routine immunization, adequate Medical facilities , logistics for health workers to reach the grassroots , proper nutrition and addressing environmental factors such as environmental pollution and population
On other cure processes, Dr Akinwunmi said pneumonia bacteria could be treated with antibiotics with quick medical intervention , rest for the patient , increased fluid intake and imbibing hygienic culture.
The medical practitioners also called on government and relevant agencies to step up awareness, adequate funding for prevention and treatment with a call on Nigerians to work hand in gloves with the government to make the country safe against deadly diseases by ensuring a health and clean environment.