2011 World Pneumonia Day Report acknowledges the Programme

The recently released 2011 World Pneumonia Day report has paid tribute to the KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme for organizing two successful events to mark the 2011 World Pneumonia Day. See full report here. Pneumonia is often referred to as the “forgotten killer” because it has historically received little of the attention it deserves. In the last decade, global health leaders have worked to increase awareness around Pneumonia by creating a global movement to save children’s lives through the annual recognition of World Pneumonia Day.

To support this initiative, the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at Johns Hopkins University partnered with the GAVI Alliance, the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves and the Best Shot Foundation to award small grants to organizations in 14 low- to middle-income countries to carry out activities advocating for adequate protection, prevention and treatment of childhood pneumonia while commemorating World Pneumonia Day.

Dr Ambrose Agweyu, of the KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, was one of the few successful awardees who used his small grant to host six awareness events at hospitals across Kenya. The event, called “I Faced Pneumonia,” focused on former and current patients, caregivers and health care workers. The day’s events culminated in the signing of a petition targeting the Ministers of Health and Finance and requesting increased government investment in interventions known to reduce the burden of pneumonia. See full story on event here.

The report also acknowledges the World Pneumonia Event organized in Kilifi County where residents participated in song and dance to emphasize the importance of vaccines, good nutrition and a clean environment as essential elements in the fight against pneumonia. During this Kilifi event, participants were encouraged to immunize their children against the leading causes of pneumonia and were also offered free, on-site health care services including check-ups, immunization and antibiotic treatment. See full story here.