On the occasion of World Pneumonia Day, Mokokchung district launched the Social Awareness and Action to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) initiative. The event was held on November 18, 2024, at the conference hall of the Chief Medical Officer’s office.
Speaking at the event, Dr Kibangkumba, CMO, urged participants to raise awareness about pneumonia in children under five by ensuring early detection and timely intervention. He also emphasized the importance of utilizing the church as a platform to reach out to the general community. He noted that while pneumonia is a treatable and preventable disease, it remains the world’s largest infectious killer of children.
Resource person Dr Imlisenba, pediatrician at IMDH, delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the objectives of the SAANS initiative. He oriented participants on the project’s prevention and treatment (PPT) interventions to save children from pneumonia. The presentation also covered communication strategies, plans, key signs, the goals of SAANS, and treatment protocols.
Dr Limanaro, DPO (UIP & RCH), who chaired the program, stated that the main objective of the campaign was to reduce child mortality due to pneumonia by increasing community awareness about the disease.