The country is witnessing a concerning rise in child deaths attributed to pneumonia, with West Bengal leading the tally, followed by Rajasthan. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data for 2022-23 reveals a total of 11,497 infants aged one to twelve months and 4,571 children aged one to five years succumbing to pneumonia. West Bengal reports the highest with 1,806 deaths, followed by Rajasthan at 1,522. Madhya Pradesh ranks third with 1,256 deaths, and Odisha is fourth with 1,247. Uttar Pradesh tops in the number of affected children, recording 92,887 cases, while Rajasthan is second with 82,091 cases.
Despite preventive efforts, the “SANS” campaign, active since 2019, hasn’t significantly reduced mortality figures. The campaign, conducted annually between November and February, aims to raise awareness and control pneumonia. Health workers use identification and training packages to prevent pneumonia-related deaths, administering the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) to reduce child mortality.
Pneumonia, often exacerbated by weakened immune systems, poses a higher risk to malnourished and unvaccinated children. Symptoms include sudden changes in body temperature, progressing from a common cold to severe coughing. Prolonged colds and coughs, especially in high-risk children, can escalate into pneumonia. Caused by the pneumonia virus, it requires appropriate medication, with viral pneumonia being unresponsive to antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics may contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
