ISLAMABAD: As World Pneumonia Day is recognized, a staggering 800,000 children lose their lives to this disease each year globally, and the situation in Pakistan is becoming increasingly grim due to rampant air pollution exacerbated by climate change.

Dr. Irfan Habib, Medical Director at ChildLife Foundation, has raised urgent concerns about how climate change is making pneumonia harder to combat. He points out that urban areas, particularly those choked by smog, are facing heightened risks as air quality deteriorates.

The alarming rise in pneumonia cases is not just a public health crisis but also deeply intertwined with environmental issues. “Climate change is exacerbating air pollution, leading to severe respiratory infections, particularly among children—those most susceptible to pneumonia, which remains a leading cause of preventable deaths in the under-fives,” Dr. Habib emphasized.

ChildLife Foundation is proactively addressing this crisis in collaboration with the government. The organization provides essential medical services to two million children each year through 13 pediatric emergency rooms (ERs) and over 300 telemedicine satellite centers. Their efforts highlight the significance of public-private partnerships in tackling health emergencies head-on.

Yet, as the impacts of climate change deepen, Dr. Habib insists that mere medical intervention will not suffice. There is an urgent need for collective action to protect the environment and combat pollution. “We must innovate and unite our efforts; only then can we genuinely safeguard children's health and tackle diseases like pneumonia, which are becoming more prevalent due to our changing climate,” he urged.

With the increasing challenges posed by climate change, tackling pneumonia within vulnerable populations like children demands immediate and sustained action. As the fight against this silent killer unfolds, the call for urgent environmental reforms grows louder, highlighting that the health of our planet is inextricably linked to the health of our children.

Will Climate Change Lead to More Preventable Deaths? Experts Warn!