Busia County Intensifies Pneumonia Prevention to Protect Children’s Health

As the world recently commemorated World Pneumonia Day on November 12, pneumonia remains a major threat to children's health in Busia County, Kenya, particularly among those under the age of five. 

The high incidence of this preventable disease has prompted local health authorities and their partners to take swift action to reduce child mortality and enhance preventive healthcare.

In an effort to tackle this issue head-on, Busia County, in partnership with Nutrition International and the MAU Group of Hospitals, organized a free medical camp at Roiko in Malaba. 

Held in advance of World Pneumonia Day, the one-day event provided over 600 local residents with critical health services, including consultations, vaccinations, and treatments for a variety of illnesses.

Janerose Ambuchi, Director of Medical Services for Busia County, emphasized the importance of awareness and regular health check-ups for young children in the fight against pneumonia. 

Speaking to the press, she highlighted the county’s commitment to reducing child mortality.

Hundreds of Malaba residents attend free medical camp at Roiko area 

"This medical camp is part of our ongoing effort to reduce child deaths and promote overall health across the county. Our vision is to make Busia a 'pneumonia-free' county," Ambuchi said.

The camp offered an array of health services, including general consultations, blood pressure checks, diabetes screening, immunizations, and nutritional counseling. 

In addition, the event featured cervical and breast cancer screenings, dental and eye exams, and physiotherapy services—addressing a range of health needs beyond pneumonia.

"We are working to ensure that everyone has access to healthcare, regardless of their financial situation. Our focus is on preventive care, early diagnosis, and timely treatment of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, especially those that affect children," Ambuchi added.

In Busia County, pneumonia ranks among the top five causes of hospital admissions. Last year alone, over 5,000 children were treated for pneumonia, with around 1,000 cases classified as severe. 

Pneumonia, often caused by bacterial infections or viral illnesses like the flu, remains a leading cause of childhood death in Kenya.

Grace Migambo, another health official from Busia, underscored the importance of community education in preventing pneumonia-related deaths.

"Raising awareness is crucial in reducing the thousands of preventable child deaths caused by pneumonia each year. This is a serious public health challenge that we must address collectively," Migambo said.

Juliet Nduta, Director of Nutrition International’s Busia Program, stressed the role of good nutrition in strengthening children's immune systems. 

"Good nutrition is essential for children’s growth and their ability to fight infections. Malnourished children are more susceptible to illnesses like pneumonia and other infections," Nduta explained.

Malnutrition remains a persistent challenge across Eastern and Southern Africa. UNICEF data indicates that over 30% of children under five in the region suffer from stunting—a form of chronic malnutrition that not only impedes cognitive development and learning potential but also carries long-term health and economic risks.

In Kenya alone, research by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) shows that pneumonia causes between 8,000 and 10,000 child deaths annually, accounting for nearly one in five of all child deaths in the country.

GAPPD Strategy, photo KEMRI 

Efforts to combat pneumonia on a global scale have been ongoing. In 2013, the Integrated Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhea (GAPPD) was launched, with the aim of reducing childhood pneumonia deaths to three per 1,000 live births by 2025.

Busia County’s recent initiatives and partnerships demonstrate a local commitment to this global goal, aiming to protect the health and futures of its youngest residents through accessible healthcare, preventive services, and community education.