Health experts: 177,000 Children Die Of Pneumonia Annually In Nigeria
Health experts in the country have claimed that about 177,000 children Under five years die annually from pneumonococcal diseases.
Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Agency (BSPHA), Pharmacist Adamu Ibrahim Gamawa stated that, reports have shown that Nigeria is among 10 countries in the world whose children under five are at a great risk of dying from Pneumonococcal diseases.
Gamawa who disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting held at the Emergency Response Center (ERC) said the diseases caused by the organism include; Pneumonia, Meningitis, Bacteraemia, Middle ear infection (Otitis Media), Sinusitis and Bronchitis in children.
According to him, the Meeting in Bauchi comes ahead of the kick off of the Pneumonococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PVC) in 16 states later in July.
He said that the vaccine is aimed at tackling diseases caused by a Bacteria called ‘Streptococcus Pneumoniaea’.
Gamawa noted that the reports have shown that fatality rates for Pneumonia is about 20 percent and about 50 percent for Meningitis.
He further noted that, in Bauchi State, which is among the 16 states in phase three of the PVC vaccine immunisation, it will be administered to children at 356 health facilities across the state.
Other states that will be covered in the PVC Vaccination phase three include; Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Gombe, Kano Kwara, Lagos and Delta States.
Others include; Enugu, Zamfara, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The BSPHA chairman informed that the vaccine will be routinely administered to the children at six, 10 and 14 weeks.
He also advised parents to observe some preventive measures which he said will help in curbing the disease among children.
Some of the measure according to him include ; general hygiene, exclusive breast feeding for the first six months, reducing indoor air pollution, proper treatment of early symptoms and giving children Zinc Supplements.
