Minister launches drive against pneumonia

Chandigarh: Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Wednesday launched SAANS (Social Awareness & Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully) campaign. Sidhu said, “Mild, moderate and severe pneumonia can affect Covid-hit children severely. One of the leading causes of childhood mortality in the country, pneumonia contributes to approximately 15 per cent of deaths”. The minister said fatalities due to pneumonia were preventable if the infection could be detected and treated in time. “Though the childhood mortality indicator of Punjab is better than the rest of the country, the state is committed to ensure better health facilities for children,” he said. — TNS