Jakarta, IDN Times – Indonesia is ranked 7th in the world as the country with the highest burden of pneumonia according to WHO data in 2017 where there were 25,481 under-five deaths due to acute respiratory infections or 17% of all under-five deaths.
Pneumonia is the second leading cause of under-five mortality in Indonesia after preterm delivery with a prevalence of 15.5%. The causative factors relate to not fulfilling exclusive breastfeeding which is only 54%, low birth weight (10.2%), and not yet complete immunization (42.1%), air pollution in confined spaces and high density in households. In 2019 there were 467,383 cases of pneumonia in children under five.
1. Save the Children launched the Stop Pneumonia campaign since last year
Save the Children International launched a global campaign to commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2019. In Indonesia, Save the Children launched a campaign called STOP Pneumonia last year to coincide with World Pneumonia Day (HPD) on 12 November and collaborating with community organizations, academics, professional organizations, government and the private sector both at the national level and in the assisted areas of Save the Children in West Sumba and Bandung Regencies continue the STOP Pneumonia campaign to raise awareness and change people’s behavior. Various forms of educational and information communication materials can be downloaded at http://stoppneumonia.id
“We, together with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection with the support of Pfizer through the STOP Pneumonia campaign, invite the public to make the HPD moment that we are commemorating in the midst of this year’s pandemic, an opportunity to further increase understanding of pneumonia and prevent more deaths from deadly diseases. this.” said CEO of Save the Children Indonesia, Selina Sumbung.
“Pfizer is committed to contributing to creating a healthier Indonesia. One of the manifestations of this commitment we do by supporting efforts that can help increase public awareness, especially parents, about pneumonia. We are proud to support the whole series of Stop Pneumonia campaign events in commemoration of World Pneumonia Day to encourage public understanding of pneumonia prevention efforts, “said Pfizer Indonesia’s Public Affairs Director Bambang Chriswanto.
Also read: Apart from pneumonia, these are 7 disease outbreaks that have ruled the world
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2. Pneumonia is often noticed too late because the initial symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases
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Pneumonia is an acute inflammatory disease of the lungs that makes the lungs fill with fluid and inflammatory cells. This condition can cause serious health complications and often lead to death.
In addition, pneumonia is often realized too late because the initial symptoms are difficult to distinguish from other minor respiratory diseases such as colds and common cold. As a result, many children with pneumonia do not receive the care they deserve and have a fatal impact on their health.
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3. The following are the early symptoms of pneumonia
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According to Dr.dr. Nastiti Kaswandani, Sp.A (K) Head of the Respirology Coordination Unit of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association needs to pay close attention to the signs of a child suffering from pneumonia.
First, Continuous Cough and Fever. Early symptoms of pneumonia are symptoms that resemble a common cold such as cough, runny nose and fever accompanied by prolonged weakness and lethargy. Symptoms of pneumonia usually last relatively longer than symptoms of colds and coughs from the common cold.
Second, difficulty breathing. Children with pneumonia often experience difficulty breathing which is characterized by a faster breathing rate, nostril breathing, chest and abdominal wall pulling, and lips and nails that turn blue due to lack of oxygen in the blood.
Difficulty breathing in babies is easier to detect when doing activities or eating. Babies who have difficulty breathing will prioritize their body’s breathing mechanisms so they will eat less, be restless, fussy, or look uncomfortable.
Doctor Nastiti advised to see a doctor immediately if in doubt over the symptoms experienced by your child.
Prevention and protection efforts by parents, society and all parties need to be increased so that Indonesian children are not only protected from the pandemic outbreak but also from other deadly diseases that still threaten them such as pneumonia.
Also Read: Pneumonia, Lung Inflammation That Can Be Life-threatening
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