Govt committed to eradication of pneumonia: Gilani
ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the government is committed to the cause of eradication of pneumonia and is taking necessary actions needed to protect its population especially children from all deadly and debilitating diseases. In a message on World Pneumonia Day, the Prime Minister said it is time not just to think but to act in order to save the precious lives that are being devastated by this deadly disease.
The statistics are quite alarming as research shows that pneumonia is one of the leading killers of children less than five years of age in Pakistan, he said.
 He said though pneumonia is a deadly disease, it can be prevented through an effective and highly efficient vaccination programme alongside awareness and education of the parents, especially mothers.
 Gilani noted with pleasure that the Expanded Programme on Immunization is in the process to introduce the pneumococcal vaccine that will help prevent 65 percent cases of pneumonia cases in Pakistan.
He said for this purpose, the government has successfully secured a support worth 680 million dollars from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization and the vaccine is set to be available as part of free immunization service for children all over the country by March 2012.
 The Prime Minister said the government accords top most priority to programmes and interventions that are aimed at saving lives and protecting the health and well-being of our people.
 “On the occasion of World Pneumonia Day, we stand with our partners in the global community and pledge that our government will do everything possible to defeat this scourge and provide a healthier, happier and brighter future to our people,” he said.