World Pneumonia Day – Grant Winner Highlights

23 Feb World Pneumonia Day – Grant Winner Highlights

The fight to reduce deaths from the single, biggest infectious killer of adults and children has never been more urgent.

From Côte d’Ivoire to Zimbabwe; Bangladesh to Pakistan; Philippines to Uganda; 11 civil society organizations took on the local fight against pneumonia during the 2022 World Pneumonia Day Week of Action.

The 11 winners were selected from 60 outstanding proposals as part of the Mérieux Foundation and Every Breath Counts Small Grants Awards to support World Pneumonia Day events that strengthen local engagement in the battle against the leading infectious killer of children and adults.

Community Working Group on Health, Zimbabwe

School children, community groups and health workers took part in colourful marches, music, drama and dance to mark a World Pneumonia Week of Action in Goromonzi District. Local health workers gave talks on how to identify and manage childhood pneumonia in the home and community, as a part of primary health care. A press conference marked the occasion, with calls for improved access to diagnosis and management of childhood pneumonia in the home and community, and for a continuum of care at all health facilities.

 

ONG Agis, Côte d’Ivoire

Primary school children sent a clear message to children around the world: “protect yourself with pneumonia”. This kicked off World Pneumonia Week of Action under the chapeau of Digital Lung Week – which included a vaccination, awareness-raising and screening campaign, a Twitter Space broadcast, and a charity evening. The iconic lighthouse in Grand Bassam was illuminated blue as part of the PneumoLight Campaign.

 

 

 

 

Rural Women Development Trust, India

During a World Pneumonia Week of Action, community health workers ran health and pneumonia awareness-raising camps for the hardest-to-reach rural population in Salem District, Tamil Nadu. A ‘Hospital on Wheels’, with guest physicians, provided health consultations to the communities. Monthly health camps will continue to provide healthcare to these underserved communities – reaching around 5000 people.

 

 

Hope for Vulnerable Children Association, Cameroon

The children of Cameroon showed the world how to stand up and fight the number one infectious killer of children as part of an impressive roadshow. Children sang, danced, held placards and recorded video messages to demand action against childhood pneumonia in Cameroon. There were also debates, talk shows and drama to raise awareness and demystify witchcraft beliefs associated to child pneumonia in the community.

 

 

 

Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Bangladesh

More than 1,000 people attended rallies as part of an awareness-raising campaign on pneumonia prevention and management. An advocacy workshop was conducted to sensitise rural medical practitioners on the causes and prevention of pneumonia and treatment procedures. These activities helped to influence the medical profession and health policymakers to include pneumonia control as part of the national health strategy.

 

 

Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation, Philippines

A pneumonia awareness-raising campaign was carried out among vulnerable populations in Central Luzon, as part of broader efforts to reduce tuberculosis. Activities included orientation sessions with local health workers, lectures with local authorities, the promotion of clean and safe stoves to households and with business, and a needs assessment for the development of community action plans.

 

 

 

 

 

Makerere University Lung Institute, Uganda

Makerere University Lung Institute held a webinar with experts, including paediatricians, on improving oxygen systems to avert childhood pneumonia deaths. It is estimated that one in three children with pneumonia has low oxygen levels in Uganda. The paediatricians demanded that the oxygen systems needed for the COVID-19 Pandemic, but are not in use, be repurposed for paediatric wards to help children breathe.

 

 

 

 

Bako Youth Development Foundation, Nigeria

Under the slogan “Let us fight pneumonia!” the Bako Youth Development Foundation conducted a health campaign in Chikun Local Government Area. Community, religious and women leaders, and communities, were engaged through workshops, public address systems with music, as well as through posters and leaflets in local health clinics. On World Pneumonia Day itself an event was held with dignitaries.

 

 

 

 

Center for Health and Disease Studies, Nepal

A pneumonia awareness campaign for expectant mothers took place at Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital. Educational videos, banners and pamphlets – on the signs and symptoms of pneumonia and preventative measures – reached more than 1000 pregnant women. A banner was also installed at the hospital to continue to build awareness.

 

 

Focus on Ability Society, Malawi

More than 500 people attended a pneumonia football and netball bonanza at Kaporo, Karonga District. A local radio station was engaged to get the word out. As a result of the campaign, an increasing number of people visited the Kaporo Rural Hospital for pneumonia diagnosis and treatment.

 

 

 

Nur Foundation, Pakistan

The Nur Foundation in collaboration with the Fatima Memorial Hospital conducted an awareness-raising campaign in Lahore to enhance the role of lady health workers in community case management of pneumonia. Health care providers conducted training workshops for female health supervisors and workers. Focused group discussions and health camps also took place to engage mothers, community and faith leaders on the signs and symptoms of pneumonia.