Kick out Pneumonia Campaign in Nigeria

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A Nigerian child dies from pneumonia, every 15 seconds. Pneumonia is a deadly disease and this silent killer affects more than 20 million children across the country.

As part of her efforts to bring pneumonia under control, Obioma Liyel Imoke, wife of the Cross River State Governor, flagged off a ‘Kick out Pneumonia’ campaign in Biase Local Government Area, about 45km from Calabar.

The event was scheduled as part of activities to mark the Children’s Day celebrations in the State.

In line with her one of her initiatives, a state fit for a child (asFac), Imoke’s primary concern is ensuring the social, health, education and legal well being of the Cross River State child. Health partners and stakeholders as well as women from all works of life converged at the Biase Local Government Headquarters to be part of the event. The theme for the event was ‘Reducing pneumonia disease through collaborative approach.’

Pneumonia is considered to be more deadly than malaria and diarrhoea, and is one of the fastest killers among women and children. A severe attack of the disease could kill a child in just four hours. ‘A child does not deserve to die because of pneumonia’ Imoke said.

‘Ignorance plays a huge part in the number of casualties this disease claims each year.’

According to medical experts, early detection of the ailment could help to drastically reduce its mortality rate- particularly among children. Explaining symptoms of the disease to the participants which include cough, rapid breathing and high fever, Imoke urged the mothers to watch out carefully for these signs and report to the nearest hospital as soon as they are spotted. She reminded the participants that the State had provided as one of its gender friendly schemes free health care for all children under the ages of five as well as for pregnant mothers and urged them to take full advantage of the facility, adding that there would be no excuse for erring mothers. ‘We have begun the process of putting in place laws that will prosecute mothers whose children die from pneumonia.’

Atana Ewa, one of the participating doctors, explained the importance of immunization as a preventive measure. ‘Whooping cough and measles immunization as well as breast feeding help to build up the body’s defences against pneumonia’ she said. Alarmingly, as the medical team carried out free consultations at the event, it was discovered that most of the mothers did not even know that their children had pneumonia. ‘I am happy to say that we have treated some cases of pneumonia here. Pneumonia is transferable and could also affect mothers.’ She advised mothers to more cautious with their children’s health as well as theirs.

Mrs Imoke has been passionate about improving the health and economic status of the less privileged women and children in Cross River State. Her various gender friendly programmes speak boldly of her determination to affect positively the lives of as many women and children in Cross River State particularly in the rural areas. ‘My husband says government is about serving the people who need government the most. Most of these people are in the Local Government Areas.’ she reiterated.

The programme also featured free medical consultations and a de worming exercise.