Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 12 November 2022
Childhood pneumonia continues to be the topmost infectious killer among under-five children, contributing to 16.2 per cent of under-five deaths in India. World Pneumonia Day is being observed today with an aim to accelerate action against Childhood Pneumonia by generating awareness on protection, prevention and treatment aspects. The motive is to enhance early identification and care-seeking behaviour (management) among parents and caregivers; also to promote Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and to create awareness on indoor and outdoor pollution.
SAANS (Social Awareness & Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully) campaign will ensure the strengthening of the Health System and awareness in the community towards childhood pneumonia.
The SAANS campaign from 12th November 2022 to 28th February 2023 will be conducted with the tagline ‘Pneumonia nahi, toh bachpan sahi’. The tagline highlights the positive impact of a Pneumonia Free Childhood.
The general public has been requested to extend their cooperation to ANMs and ASHA Workers during community outreach for early identification of cases of childhood pneumonia and early management of pneumonia in under-five children.