​The virtual Global Pneumonia Day Conference is also taking place today aimed at highlighting the need for awareness and discussing ways of improving response and treatment.

‘We are pleased to support this campaign, to help raise awareness around this important issue which has its greatest impact on the youngest members of our population. This year sees the COVID-19 pandemic at the centre of our minds and having a direct impact on all of our lives. However, we must continue to pay attention and focus our efforts on addressing many other serious health problems that continue to affect the population.  The City of Cape Town reaffirms its commitment to address this and supports the efforts of the Worldwide Pneumonia Awareness Campaign through a global conference,’ said Executive Mayor Dan Plato.

According to the World Health Organisation, pneumonia kills roughly 700 000 children each year, which makes up 15 percent of all deaths of children under the age of five. Pneumonia is one of the leading causes in death of children in this age group, and is most prevalent in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Those living in poorer communities are more at risk due to the burden of TB and HIV.

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