Biggest baby killer in Bangladesh [ Pneumonia ]

Pneumonia is the biggest baby killer in Bangladesh, but most of the people do not realise its all-pervasive presence, say health experts.

Widespread malnutrition & poor hygiene have been blamed for the 'dangerous' lung disease that, according to ministry of health, accounts for 18 percent of deaths under five.

"It (Pneumonia) can put pressure on achieving Millennium Development Goal 4," paediatrician Prof Ruhul Amin of Dhaka Shishu Hospital told a journalists' workshop in the capital.

The workshop organised by non-government organisation Poriprekkhit suggested awareness campaign on the dangers of the diseases.

"You will not get a family where at least a member did not suffer Pneumonia in his lifetime," Prof Amin said, adding children with Pneumonia occupy over one-third of hospital beds across the country.

"But we can prevent it by ensuring exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months & later homemade food & necessary vaccines."

According to Prof Amin, exclusive breastfeeding can curb Pneumonia by 15 to 23 percent by boosting their immune systems.

Early detection is imperative to combat the disease mostly caused by bacteria.

The common cold is typified with cough & runny nose. "But in case of Pneumonia, things will get worse," the child specialist said. "The child will start facing difficulty in breathing, apart from high fever."

He advised parents to take their kids to hospitals 'if breathing problem noticed'.

"But the disease should get priority as the government is aiming to achieve the targets of the Millennium Development Goals," Prof Amin said.

To meet the MDG target, the government is trying to reduce child mortality rate to 48 per 1,000 births by 2015.

According to health ministry, the figure stood at 60 per 1,000 births in 2009.

Microbiologist Dr Samir Kumar Saha sought support of Global Alliance for Vaccines & Immunisation (GAVI) to make vaccines for pneumococcus & haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) available in Bangladesh.

Findings of the latest Bangladesh Demographic & Health Survey found 41 percent children under five underweight while the stunted rate was 43 percent & wasted 17 percent.

Posted in: Medical News,Pneumonia