DHAKA, Dec 25, 2023 (BSS) - One and half year-old Sadman was very thin. He was suffering from pneumonia for about one and a half month. His mother Rafiza visited different hospitals for his recovery. 

Even, Sadman had shifted to ICU (intensive care unit) of Dhaka Shishu Hospital in city's Shaymoli. Later, Sadman was returned home after getting well.

Sources said the number of death was about one lakh in ninety's decade. But it (number of death) has been reduced in phases. The death rate has been reduced by eight percent during the last 18 years. But, pneumonia is one of the main causes of death of under five year-old children till now.

The disease (phenomena) has been given special priority in Bangladesh and across the globe as well. The children are the most victims of the disease.

Experts said premature birth, malnutrition, low immunity and pollution are the main reasons for pneumonia.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital child specialist Dr Saidur Rahman Shohagh said virus and bacterial infection in lungs are the main cause of pneumonia.

'Stop Pneumonia', an organization, is working across the globe to protect pneumonia. It said pneumonia is one of main reasons of death of child and adult person. About 25 lakh people including about 6.72 lakh children died of pneumonia across the globe in 2019.

It said air pollution is one of the main reasons of pneumonia and death.

Sources said about 7.49 lakh people died due to air pollution across the world in 2019.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), about 8.80 lakh children aged under five died due to pneumonia across the globe in 2017 which was 15 percent of the death reason of the same age.

 According to Research for Decision Makers (RDM) and Data for Impact (DI) informed that about 24,000 children aged under five died due to pneumonia. But, currently, the death rate has been reduced due to proper initiatives of the present government and other stakeholders.

As per the global goal, the death rate will have to be reduced the number of the death to three among per 1000.

Dr Shohagh said the hospitals and other health centers are giving more importance to the children treatment. The doctors are giving instant treatment to the children as per the guideline of pneumonia if any child admits with the symptoms of cough and breath problems. The children are also being vaccinated for pneumonia officially, he added.

He urged all to remain alert about their children and adult persons.