ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of World Pneumonia Day, which is observed today (Tuesday), experts highlighted the alarming impact of pneumonia, which claims the lives of over 800,000 children globally every year.
In Pakistan, the situation is worsening due to the rising levels of air pollution, particularly caused by smog, which is exacerbating respiratory diseases.
Dr. Irfan Habib, Medical Director at ChildLife Foundation, emphasized that climate change has made conditions like pneumonia more difficult to control, particularly in urban areas where pollution is severe. He pointed out that the ChildLife Foundation, in collaboration with the government through public-private partnerships, is working to address this health crisis by treating two million children annually through 13 pediatric emergency rooms (ERs) and more than 300 telemedicine satellite centers.
Dr. Habib also stressed that the combined impact of climate change and environmental factors, such as the ongoing smog emergency, is taking a significant toll on child health in Pakistan. “Climate change is worsening air pollution, which is leading to serious respiratory issues and making children even more susceptible to diseases like pneumonia—one of the leading causes of preventable child deaths,” he said.
To combat these dual threats of pneumonia and climate change-related health risks, Dr. Habib called for stronger collaborative efforts to protect the environment and reduce pollution. He emphasized that such efforts are crucial to safeguarding children’s health and preventing the spread of diseases like pneumonia.
