As per recent reports, it has been revealed that the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) has initiated a nationwide awareness crusade dubbed ‘Blow Away Pneumonia’ to symbolize World Pneumonia Day on Saturday, 12th of November.

This is apparently the second year when IAP has showed consensus with the worldwide association against pneumonia for focusing on pneumonia as a global public health concern.

Through the campaign, the organizers are keenly focused on preventing stoppable casualties that take place year-after-year. The global alliance against pneumonia is made up of over 125 member organisations. In this regard, Modak said that it is immensely imperative for parents to consult a paediatrician in case their kid is suffering from symptoms like cough, chest pain and high fever. He further warned that untreated pneumonia can result in lifelong disabilities.

Through the crusade, IAP is willing to mushroom awareness among healthcare professionals, policymakers and parents on the significance of stopping pneumonia, shielding children from situations that tend to spike up the threat of pneumonia along with making sure the ailment is identified and treated in the nick of time. IAP is also eventful in organizing school rallies and skits, media campaigns, seminars for health workers and in-clinic events to increase awareness among public on a vastly avoidable disease.

As per stats released by the World Health Organization, in excess of 400,000 children are killed by pneumonia in India each year, though recent reports have revealed that kids in New Zealand are most susceptible to pneumonia as compared to any other country in the world.

Dr. T U Sukumaran, the President of IAP said: “Pneumonia kills more children than any other disease. Parents should ensure their children are at low risk by preventing low-birth weight, providing exclusive breastfeeding for six months, timely vaccinations and good nutrition”.