Over 37,580 Pakistani Children Under Five Die from Pneumonia in 2021

Joshua J Stephen

Islamabad: Pneumonia and lower respiratory infections remain a deadly threat to young children in Pakistan, according to a concerning report by Gallup Pakistan.

Despite advancements in healthcare, these illnesses claimed the lives of a staggering 37,580 children under five in 2021.

The 13th edition of the Gallup Pakistan Health Cyber Letter paints a grim picture, highlighting that Pakistan lags behind global trends in tackling childhood pneumonia.

While other countries witness a shift in the disease burden towards older adults, Pakistan’s young children remain highly vulnerable.

Lower respiratory infections, with pneumonia being the most lethal, have been the leading cause of death among children under five in the country since 1995, the Gallup Pakistan report mentions. 

“Pneumonia is claiming the lives of thousands of Pakistani children under the age of five each year,” said Dr Muhammad Tariq, a consultant child specialist at PIMS Hospital. 

Dr Tariq described the disease as Pakistan’s “number one killer” for young children. The alarming statistics, coupled with a lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, have painted a grim picture of the country’s child health crisis, the child specialist added. 

The medical expert highlighted the critical role of primary healthcare centers and rural health units in combating pneumonia, emphasizing the need for increased government spending on these facilities.

The specialist also stressed the importance of immunization and public awareness campaigns to prevent the spread of the disease. He pointed to the urgent need for more paediatricians in rural areas and improved referral systems to tertiary care hospitals.

Islamabad, despite being the capital, is facing challenges due to a rapid influx of population from rural areas. The city’s healthcare facilities are struggling to cope with the increased demand, particularly in peripheral areas.

Dr Tariq’s call for action underscores the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare reforms to protect Pakistan’s most vulnerable citizens.

Vaccination Gap Exacerbates Crisis

The report identifies a critical gap in childhood immunization as a major contributing factor. Data from the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (2018-19) reveals a concerning drop-off in vaccination coverage.

While 84 percent of children receive the first dose of the pneumonia vaccine, only 78 percent complete the recommended regimen. This incomplete vaccination leaves a significant number of children unprotected against this preventable disease.

Pakistan Tops Grim Ranking

Globally, Pakistan presents a particularly alarming situation. Citing data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and its Global Burden of Disease (GBD) initiative, the report reveals that Pakistan has the second-highest number of pneumonia deaths.

Among children under five in Asia, trailing only India, with 37,580 fatalities in 2021. This data underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address this public health crisis.

Gallup Pakistan

In response to these alarming statistics, Gallup Pakistan launched the Gallup Pakistan Public Health Program in 2020. This initiative aims to drive positive change in the country’s public health landscape.

The program encompasses projects like the Digital Vaccine Register Project, which assesses the effectiveness of digital tools in improving immunization services, and the “Let’s Talk Public Health” series, fostering dialogue on critical health issues.

A recent initiative under the program included the “Cause of Death (COD) Training” and the “Enhancing Integrated Mortality Surveillance Workshop” held in February 2023.

These workshops aimed to enhance mortality surveillance and health data collection in Pakistan, involving stakeholders from various health sectors.

The Gallup Pakistan report serves as a stark reminder of the immense challenge Pakistan faces in combating childhood pneumonia deaths. Increased vaccination coverage, and improved access to healthcare services.

Heightened public awareness about the severity of these infections are crucial steps to safeguard the health and well-being of Pakistan’s children.