Clean cook stoves & pneumonia Norman Lufesi ARI & ETAT Programme Manager Ministry of Health

Pneumonia Facts Pneumonia kills more children under the age of five than any other disease, claiming a young life every 20 seconds. That’s 4,300 young lives every day. In 2000, pneumonia killing 18 out of every 100 admitted pneumonia children. Kills 20 in every 100 deaths 1st Oct 2008 to 30th Sept 2009, 7886 children died

What policies are available? In 2007, Malawi developed the Pneumonia Policy Issued in 2009 by WHO and UNICEF The plans aims to increase awareness of pneumonia as a major cause of death among children, and UNICEF and WHO are seeking support for its immediate implementation from national policy-makers, donor agencies and civil society. The GAPP strategy has three elements: Protecting every child Preventing children from contracting pneumonia Treating children who become ill with pneumonia with the right care and antibiotics, including at the community level.

Protect Exclusive breastfeeding Excellent source of nutrition and early immunity. Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life is one of the best ways to protect children from pneumonia and many other diseases. Adequate nutrition It is critically important that all children receive good nutrition. Undernourished children are at higher risk for illness and death, including pneumonia. Reduce low birth weight Babies born with a low birth weight are at risk for pneumonia, other health problems, and even death. Improving prenatal care for expecting mothers can help to reduce the number of babies born with a low birth weight.

Protect Reduce indoor air pollution Indoor air pollution may come from many different sources, including cigarette smoking and the burning of biofuels for cooking and home heating. Reducing indoor air pollution can help to protect children from pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. Hand washing Hand washing can help to reduce the spread of germs and disease. This is a simple and inexpensive way to help protect children from pneumonia

Prevent Immunization Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Vaccine Measles Vaccine Pertussis Vaccine Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Prevention of Other Diseases HIV Other illnesses

Treat Case management Community health workers Antibiotics Oxygen therapy

Advocacy To influence and persuade people to do things that matter most Many people MAY care but they don’t know; WE INFORM THEM Many others MAY know but they don’t care; WE CONVINCE THEM Marked first World Pneumonia Day in November 2009

Donors Public & Policy makers National governments Health workers/professionals Public

What can clean cook stoves do? Protect from pneumonia Engages citizens in grassroots levels to fight pneumonia Highlights features of pneumonia as a big but solvable problem Provides advocacy & communication opportunity

Conclusion We know how to protect our children We know how to prevent them from being infected We know how to treat our children. Now is the time to put this knowledge into action to deliver the solutions to all children in Malawi and to all children around the world!