Pneumonia still children's leading killer disease

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Dr Roseline Malangachi, a consultant paediatrician at Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital on October 30, 2023. [Nathan Ochunge, Standard]

Reducing infections

"Good personal hygiene, exclusive breastfeeding of infants for six months, handwashing, and using clean cooking fuel reduce the incidence of respiratory infections that lead to pneumonia," added Dr Malangachi.

She further explained, "Breast milk contains numerous antibodies that the baby receives from the mother, minimising the occurrence of pneumonia. Cook with clean fuel only and avoid using jikos and kerosene unless in a well-ventilated area."

The medical expert urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated at weeks six, 10, and 14 after birth. "Recommended vaccines include the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), the Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine, and the influenza vaccine."

According to Dr Boniface Nyumbile, a paediatrician at the Kakamega referral hospital, the main risk factors for pneumonia include air pollution.