World pneumonia day is one of the important days in the month of November, observed on the 12th.
This day was established by the Stop Pneumonia Initiative in 2009 with an aim of creating awareness about this infectious and deadly disease.
Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs.
According to WHO, the disease claims the lives of around 2.5 million people every year.
On average, it kills more children than the combined mortality rate caused by AIDS, measles, and malaria.
On this day, people look forward to coming together to understand what can be done to fight pneumonia.
With the respiratory diseases being eminent right now, the World Pneumonia Day is even more relevant.
The World Pneumonia day was first observed by the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia in 2009 under the Stop Pneumonia Initiative.
Their aim was to bring the facts of the severity of pneumonia to public cognizance and to join hands to bring global attention to this respiratory condition.
Ambassadors of Save the Children organization, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Hugh Laurie, Charles MacCormack, Orin Levine of PneumoADIP, among others, began a call to action where they asked people to participate in World Pneumonia Day.
The day has a unique theme every year, based on the events and discussions organized for the day.
The official campaign and theme for the day is announced by the official organization.
This year, the World Pneumonia Day 2022 theme is “Championing the fight against pneumonia.”
According to previous reports carried out, Pneumonia claimed the lives of 2.5 million people, including 672,000 children, in 2019 alone.
The combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and conflict is negatively impacting a pneumonia crisis placing millions at risk of infection and death.
As a way of observing this day, people are encouraged to Join their local medical organizations and participate in their campaigns to spread awareness about the effect of this disease and the efforts that needs to be made to prevent it.
Talking about the disease with friends also helps in ensuring that many people are informed about pneumonia and its illnesses.Our future exists in our upcoming generations.
The efforts we put in today will pave the way for advancements in the treatment options for this disease in the future.
It is only through combined efforts that health organizations will take this matter earnestly.
BY STACY ODHIAMBO