Did you know that in Nigeria, 19% of child deaths are due to pneumonia, and in 2017, it was the biggest killer for children under the age of five?
Pneumonia, an acute respiratory infection affecting the lungs, claims the lives of thousands of Nigerian children each year. The lack of attention on this issue can be attributed to various factors, including limited awareness, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, and competing health priorities.
One of the primary challenges is the lack of awareness about pneumonia within the general population. Consequently, numerous cases remain undetected or untreated until they progress to critical stages, resulting in severe health complications and, tragically, fatalities. Pneumonia can be caused by various bacteria, viruses, and fungi. While bacteria are the primary cause in adults, viruses are predominant among school-aged children. Common illnesses such as the common cold, Coronavirus, and flu can lead to pneumonia.
Symptoms of pneumonia typically include cough, chills, fever, rapid or laboured breathing, loss of appetite, restlessness, and vomiting. Pneumonia itself is not contagious, but the bacteria and viruses that cause it can be. For example, the flu is contagious and can lead to pneumonia, but not everyone who gets the flu will develop pneumonia. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s healthcare system faces several challenges, including inadequate facilities, a shortage of medical professionals, and limited access to essential medicines and vaccines. These obstacles hinder the timely diagnosis and proper treatment of pneumonia, especially in remote or underserved communities with limited access to healthcare services.
To reduce the burden of pneumonia in Nigeria, it’s crucial to ensure widespread access to vaccines, promote good hygiene practices, avoid over crowded places, and enhance healthcare infrastructure. Although pneumonia poses a significant threat to the health of Nigerian children, it is often overlooked in public discourse. By prioritizing pneumonia as a public health concern, Nigeria can take significant strides toward safeguarding the well-being of its youngest population.
For more inquiries or consultations on getting the right treatment for your child, kindly send an email to info@avonmedical.com or visit our website at www.avonmedical.com. You can also contact us at these numbers: (+234)-908-799-4655 or (+234)-908-799-4656.