The SAANS Campaign: Fighting Pneumonia Among Children

Launched by the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare, the Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) campaign aims to reduce child mortality due to pneumonia. Targeting a significant health challenge, the SAANS campaign targets a critical problem that contributes to around 15% of deaths in children under the age of five annually.

Key Features of the SAANS Campaign

The campaign features various mobilization and awareness strategies designed to combat pneumonia effectively. Here are the key features:

Mobilizing People and Training Health Personnel

To enhance the public's ability to protect children from pneumonia, the SAANS campaign focuses on mobilizing communities. Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers play a crucial role in treating children with a pre-referral dose of the antibiotic amoxicillin. This initiative aims to provide prioritized treatment to control pneumonia.

Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) will also utilize a pulse oximeter to monitor blood oxygen levels, especially in cases where low oxygen levels are detected. This allows for timely intervention and treatment with oxygen cylinders, ensuring that children receive the necessary care immediately.

Mass Awareness Campaign

A robust mass awareness campaign will be launched to educate the public about effective solutions for pneumonia prevention. Topics including breastfeeding, age-appropriate complementary feeding, and immunization will be highlighted to build public understanding and encourage proactive measures. These actions are fundamental in preventing pneumonia and saving children's lives.

About Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a serious infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, leading to symptoms such as a cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. It can be caused by various germs, including bacteria and viruses.

Prevention is key to controlling this condition, which can be achieved through vaccination. Vulnerable populations, such as infants, young children, individuals over 65, and those with weakened immune systems, are particularly at risk. In India, the under-five mortality rate stands at 37 per 1000 live births, with 5.3 deaths attributed to pneumonia each year.

Step Taken by India

The Indian government has set ambitious targets to reduce pneumonia deaths among children to less than three per 1000 live births by 2025. In 2014, the 'Integrated Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD)' was launched to address these issues collaboratively. The SAANS campaign stands as a significant part of this plan, working to ensure that every child receives the care they need to prevent and treat pneumonia effectively.

Conclusion

The SAANS campaign showcases the Indian government's commitment to battling child mortality resulting from pneumonia. By combining community mobilization, early intervention, and mass education, this initiative seeks to protect children from a leading cause of mortality in the under-five age group. As the campaign progresses, its success will be critical in achieving the government's targets and ultimately saving countless lives.