Experts have called for timely diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia to save precious human lives.
Marking World Pneumonia Day 2026, the ChildLife Foundation highlighted that pneumonia remains the world’s leading infectious cause of death among children.
The foundation treated more than 95,000 children for pneumonia at its emergency rooms across Pakistan in 2026, as it called for timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent avoidable deaths.
According to a 2025 UNICEF report, a child dies from the disease every 43 seconds worldwide.
ChildLife Foundation Medical Director Dr Irfan Habib stressed the importance of recognising breathing difficulties early and ensuring access to quality healthcare. He said malnutrition and air pollution further increase children’s vulnerability to pneumonia.
The foundation’s 16 emergency rooms are equipped to manage severe cases through interventions including oxygen therapy, bubble CPAP and antibiotics when medically required.
In partnership with the government, ChildLife Foundation provides free, round-the-clock emergency care to around two million children annually through emergency rooms and telemedicine satellite centres in more than 350 public hospitals across Pakistan.
