government is targeting a reduction in pneumonia-caused deaths by 2025 to less than 3 deaths out of 1000 live births

SAANS (Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia
Successfully)
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection, which makes it difficult for the child to breathe.
Pneumonia is caused by a number of infectious agents including viruses, bacteria and
fungi. All pneumonia cases present initially as non severe pneumonia, if untreated no
sever pneumonia cases can progress to sever pneumonia. The majority if childhood
pneumonia deaths are due to sever penmomnia.
Childhood pneumonia continues to be the topmost infectious killer among under-five
children. GoI launched SAANS campaign in November 2019 to address the burden of
Childhood Pneumonia in our country. Since then SAANS campaign is being observed
every year from 12th of November till 28th of February.
SAANS aims at accelerating action against Childhood Pneumonia by generating
awareness round protect, prevent and treatment aspects of Childhood Pneumonia and
to enhance early identification and care seeking behaviours among parents and
caregivers and also to promote Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (PCV).
Every year tag line is given to address Childhood pneumonia and this year the tag line
is “Pneumonia nahi, toh bachpan sahi”
The campaign focuses for early identification and appropriate management of childhood
pneumonia cases through home visits by ASHAs and other front-line workers during the
campaign period. ASHAs are being distributed with IEC material like leaflets in order to
generate awareness and mobilize community for Pneumonia Protection, Prevention &
Treatment.
ASHA will also ensure that all eligible children receive 3 doses of Pneumococcal
Conjugate Vaccine (two primary doses at 6 weeks and 14 weeks and a booster dose at
9 months) as per the national immunization schedule under the universal immunization
programme (UIP).
A one-day orientation programme on SAANS for front line workers and health
functionaries is being done in all the districts.
Under SAANS, the government is targeting a reduction in pneumonia-caused deaths by
2025 to less than 3 deaths out of 1000 live births.