Pneumonia vaccination not reaching children who need it most

Although pneumonia continues to be the biggest cause of under 5 years of age mortality for children yet its vaccination is not included under the public health programme of the Government of India. Most people who get their children vaccinated have to buy it from the private sector. Most alarming human rights issue is that the children who are likely to need it most or those children who are most at risk of pneumonia, are the ones least likely to be able to afford a pneumonia vaccine.

Passive smoking and lack of hygiene breeds childhood pneumonia

Hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained within the households and children should not be exposed to tobacco smoke or smoke coming out of cook stoves. Passive tobacco smoke is not only harmful for health but also puts children at high risk of contracting pneumonia. "Cleanliness and hygiene is very important for controlling pneumonia especially in children. In our country there is a tradition to put kohl (kajala) in the eyes of the children, give them oil massages, etc. We need to be very cautious regarding hygiene when it comes to children as their immunity is still developing" said Dr KN Dwivedi, noted Paediatrician from Gorakhpur.

Prevent childhood pneumonia by good nutrition

Good nutrition can save a child from malnutrition and pneumonia both. "Nutritious diet is the fuel of life, just what petrol is to a car. The best nutrition for a newly born child for at least first six months is mother's milk. Only after first six months, other food items are introduced very gradually and mother's milk is recommended for two years. By one year of age, a child can nearly eat whatever an adult person can eat too. Point to remember is that good nutrition is fundamental to a child's healthy tomorrow" said Dr KN Dwivedi, noted Paediatrician from Gorakhpur.

Barriers to accessing treatment for childhood pneumonia

Despite making compelling public health sense to integrate pneumonia prevention, treatment and care services in public sector healthcare facilities as childhood pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality for children below 5 years of age, the reality remains grim. Not only healthcare services in public sector lack quality standard prevention and treatment services but also there is a lack of guidelines so that pneumonia related services can be uniform in private and public healthcare services.

Breast milk increases immunity in children

New-born children after birth should be given exclusive mother's milk for first six months because it increases their body's resistance and immunity for rest of their lives. "Breast milk not only protects a child from pneumonia but also many other infections. Breast milk increases body's immunity of a child. That is why risk of contracting pneumonia in exclusively breastfed children is less compared to those children who don't get exclusive breast milk during first six months of their lives. Apart from exclusive breastfeeding there are many other steps one can take to protect children from pneumonia such as protecting children from cold exposure" said a noted paediatrician from Gorakhpur Dr KN Dwivedi.

CII Woman Exemplar Award 2011 to a UP woman farmer

[Hindi]  Ramrati, who is a 50 year old farmer from Sarpatha village in eastern Uttar Pradesh, has been selected for the coveted Woman Exemplar Award 2011. This award was instituted in 2005 by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and HSBC is the partner and sponsor for this award, to promote women empowerment at the community level by discovering and recognising those who have, against all odds, contributed in the fields of education and literacy, health, and, micro enterprise, thereby making a significant contribution to the development process in India.