Around 92,000 children die of pneumonia in country yearly: expert

MN Report

Karachi: An estimated 92,000 children die from pneumonia in Pakistan every year and the country still stands among top five countries which account for 99 per cent of childhood pneumonia cases, said prominent paediatrician Prof Dr Ayesha Mehnaz. 

Dr Mehnaz, who is associated with Civil Hospital Karachi, was speaking at a news conference organised by Pakistan Paediatric Association (PPA) in connection with the World Pneumonia Day observed globally every year on Nov 12.

She said that the aim of organising press briefing was to raise awareness about pneumonia, its preventive measures and treatment facilities.

Dr Ayesha, who is also general secretary of PPA (Central), said World Pneumonia Day is the vibrant occasion that can be used as a platform to impart and share knowledge for combating the deadly disease. 
She regretted that despite availability of pneumonia vaccine free under the EPI (Expanded Programme of Immunization), around 46 per cent of the child population in Pakistan still remains non-immunized, thereby  leading to child mortality.