Daily Times

Sir: Every year, World Pneumonia Day is observed on November 12 across the globe including Pakistan to create awareness about pneumonia as a severe public health issue and help to prevent the millions of avoidable deaths that occur due to pneumonia each year.

According to the World Health Organisation’s reports, pneumonia accounts for 16 percent of the total child deaths making it the leading killer of children less than five years of age globally. Globally, Pneumonia accounts for more than 920,000 deaths among children below five years of age and Pakistan is among the 5th countries that account for 99 percent of childhood pneumonia cases.

Pakistan is a hub of infectious diseases, primarily due to a lack of long-term commitment and preventative measures on the part of the government. It is high time for the government to realise that the health of its citizens is a top priority; it can pave the way to prosperity and improved quality of life.

BAKHTIYAR PHULLAN

Kech

Published in Daily Times, November 15^th 2018.