Reducing pneumonia deaths among children

The abject state of health care, particularly primary health
care, in the country has once again been brought to the fore
with the revelation that of the 800,000 under-five children who
die of pneumonia-related ailments globally every year,
177,000 of the deaths occurred in Nigeria. The implication of
this is that Nigeria has about 20.13 per cent of the global
pneumonia mortality figure. Dr Rui Vaz, the Country
Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), while
reeling out these dismal statistics, observed that the most
affected amongst this vulnerable group are children under two
years, especially in developing countries.
The fact that our children still succumb in such large numbers
to this primary, non-communicable disease should be cause
for serious concern. But, the figures as they relate to Nigeria
would hardly surprise anyone who has followed the nation’s
trajectory in policy formulation and sustainable development.
One thing that has been sorely lacking is continuity in the
implementation of government policies, including those in the
health sector. While the frequent change of guards at the
leadership of the health sector has been named as one of the
reasons for this high pneumonia mortality rate, the lack of
clear and visionary planning cannot be wished away.
Ordinarily, health care should be a top priority of every
government, especially the primary health care level. Nigeria
achieved this during the time the late Professor Olikoye
Ransome-Kuti served as Health Minister. But, it was not
sustained.
There are constant policy flip-flops, backed by unprecedented
corruption in the public service, which stymies service delivery.
The rigorous policy planning and faithful implementation of
programmes in an integrated manner are lacking.
Now, for Nigeria to improve her present dismal record in
pneumonia diseases amongst children and general primary
health care, the related issues of education, housing, potable
water, proper feeding and availability of medicines must be
addressed in a holistic and sustainable manner.
Good housing, complete with proper ventilation, will reduce the
risk factors for pneumonia. Time was when “Housing for All”
was a priority of government. Even then, it was never faithfully
implemented. Neither has it ever really been affordable for the
masses.
There is also the challenge of malnutrition. No matter how we
try to hide it, the majority of our citizens are malnourished,
living on less than one dollar a day. Some children do not get
food and proper nutrition? So, they easily succumb to ailments
such as pneumonia and do not receive proper medical
treatment for the condition.
Health centres and adequate medicines are still a luxury in
many of our states. The health care centres are few and far
between, poorly equipped and ill-manned. Many children do
not receive the necessary immunisations. The incessant
strikes in the health sector also compound the problem. On
the whole, what we have is a dismal picture that hardly
surprises anyone.
What we must not do is accept the present depressing state
of health care. Government can, at least, improve on public
information dissemination on pneumonia and, indeed, other
preventable diseases of children. Preventive measures, such
as national vaccination campaigns, should be stepped up. The
challenge is higher in the rural communities where the
presence of government is hardly felt.
Perhaps, this is another reason to rethink our federation and
give impetus to the devolution of powers. The over-
centralisation of power in Abuja has hardly helped Nigerians in
disparate parts of the country. Government, at the local level,
should take full and proper responsibility for primary health
care, without interference from states or the federal
government.
Then, we must address all the related matters. There is need
for good governance and provision of basic amenities. We
cannot run away from this. Poor primary health care is
directly related to our high infant mortality rates. When we
drastically improve this, chances are that our high infant
mortality rates will reduce.