Côte d’Ivoire Press Conference & March
In Côte d’Ivoire, while pneumonia is the second largest cause of child deaths, it remains unknown by most. Therefore, AGIS is working to educate the public and generate media attention through World Pneumonia Day. Amazing work is being done by the government, scientific societies, health professions, several inter/national NGOs, teachers and their parents. However, since their efforts are unheralded, Ivoirians must become aware of their contribution. Communications will focus on three key priorities: prevent, treat and train.
- Prevention efforts should be strengthened through a variety of measure including widening the access to (cheaper) vaccines, reducing air pollution at home, improving the implementation of essential family practices (EFP) and promoting exclusive breastfeeding of newborns.
- As far as treatment is concerned, significant improvements can be made through the combination of better diagnostic tools with a wider use of amoxicillin and oxygen – for the worse cases.
- Regarding capacity building, a robust effort must target both health professionals and community.
Co-Sponsors
- The Paediatricians’ Learned Society
- The National Programme on Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health
- Sports in My Life (civil society organization)
Friday, November 11: Press conference
09:00- 12:00, Hotel Palm Club, Room 1, Cocody, Abidjan
- Dr. Raoul Kacou, Communications Officer, Programme National de la Santé de la Mère et de l’Enfant (PNSME)
- Dr. Max Itchy, Pneumonia pediatrician, Société Ivoirienne de Pédiatrie (SIP)
- Mr. Aboubakar Sylla, President, NGO Association Graine d’Ivoire et Santé (AGIS)
Saturday, November 12: The Blue March
07:00-08:00, Lycée Classique d’Abidjan (departure/arrival)
This event will gather the stakeholders of the fight against pneumonia and will offer them the opportunity to gather, to commune and to give a public face to their commitment. The march will take place in the commune of Cocody and is organised by Sport dans ma vie and AGIS with the lycée classique d’Abidjan.
Call for Action
- In Côte d’Ivoire, an increasing number of stakeholders have become aware that more can be done, together, to improve Maternal and Child Health. Let us offer access to health to those who are affected by pneumonia – and its painful circumstances (suffering, impoverishment and solitude).
- Côte d’Ivoire already has two key assets to defeat pneumonia: political will and therapeutic tools.
- Increasing community health agents’ involvement and widening immunization efforts are two opportunities to strengthen the fight against pneumonia.