Bangladesh promises to bring down child deaths caused by pneumonia    

Bangladesh has promised to bring down child deaths caused by pneumonia, in line with the global target of having less than three child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2025. 

Both government and non-government representatives made the promise at Global Pneumonia Forum at Barcelona, held January 29-31, according to a press release by the Save the Children, Bangladesh.

Citing a joint report of the John Hopkins University and Save the Children, the press release said as many as 140,000 children in Bangladesh can be saved in 10 years if coordinated approaches are taken to tackle pneumonia.                         
As a panelist at the forum, Dr Mohammad Shamsul Haque, line director (MNC & AH) of the Department of Health, said pneumonia annually accounts for 13 percent of all deaths of children under five years of age in Bangladesh. 

He advocated for adequate measures for prevention and control of pneumonia.       

"The government has formulated a national action plan to be attached to and synchronised with the operation of the national health sector development plan."

Shariful Islam, programme manager of the National Newborn Health Programme, said Bangladesh has been working to eliminate child malnutrition and encouraging mothers to breastfeed their babies. 

"Apart from this, we have adopted a national plan for pneumonia prevention and control," he added. 

After returning from the forum, Senior Public Health Professional of Save the Children Bangladesh Dr Golam Motabbir said the organisation and its stakeholders prioritise marginalised communities. 

"Besides, we will be working with the government to ensure adequate medical care for all through maintaining transparency and accountability."