Source: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Recently the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the SAANS campaign to reduce child mortality due to pneumonia.
Child deaths caused by pneumonia
- As per data from the Health Management Information System (HMIS), a digital initiative by National Health Mission, out of 1000 live births in India, 37 children under five die. Of these, 5.3 deaths are caused due to pneumonia.
- As per HMIS data, Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of pneumonia-caused child deaths, followed by Gujarat.
Objectives of the SAANS campaign
- Target: Under SAANS, the government is targeting a reduction in pneumonia-caused deaths by 2025 to less than 3 deaths out of 1000 live births.
- Mobilize people: The health campaign will mobilise people to protect children from pneumonia and train health personnel and other stakeholders to provide prioritised treatment to control the disease.
- Dispel myths & notions and trigger behaviour change to take pneumonia seriously and seek care early
Key features
- Pre-referral dose: A child suffering from pneumonia can be treated with a pre-referral dose of antibiotic amoxicillin by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers.
- Under SAANS, health and wellness centres can use pulse oximeter (device to monitor oxygen saturation) to identify low oxygen levels in the blood of a child, and if required, treat him by the use of oxygen cylinders.
- A mass awareness campaign will also be launched about effective solutions for pneumonia prevention such as breastfeeding, and age-appropriate complementary feeding, immunization, good quality air, etc.
Target beneficiaries
- Primary: All caregivers/mothers/fathers having under 5 children(for community mobilization)
- Secondary: Key opinion leaders such as Gram Panchayat Leaders, Religious Leaders, Local Administration, VHSNC members, Health & ICDS functionaries, Private practitioners etc.
