ChildLife Foundation treats over 95,000 children with pneumonia in 2026

KARACHI: The ChildLife Foundation has treated more than 95,000 children with pneumonia in its Emergency Rooms across Pakistan in 2026 as pneumonia remains the world’s leading infectious cause of death among children.

According to a 2025 UNICEF report, a child dies from pneumonia every 43 seconds somewhere in the world and the toll is also severe in Pakistan. This year’s theme, “A New Era of Pneumonia Control,” recognizes advances in vaccines, diagnostic tools and treatments.

In a message on World Pneumonia Day 2026 the ChildLife Foundation is calling for urgent action to prevent these deaths and ensure every child can access timely diagnosis and treatment.

“Pneumonia can become life-threatening, but children can survive when they receive the right care in time,” said Dr Irfan Habib, Medical Director at ChildLife Foundation.

He added that families should take breathing difficulties seriously, and health systems must ensure that quality diagnosis and treatment are within reach for every child.

Children facing malnutrition are especially vulnerable. Wasting, when a child is too thin for their height, has been associated with 54 percent of pneumonia cases. Indoor air pollution from solid fuels and outdoor air pollution can also increase children’s vulnerability.

Preventing pneumonia takes more than one intervention. Children need routine immunization, adequate nutrition, breastfeeding, safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. When a child becomes ill, early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential.

Dr Habib stated that ChildLife Foundation’s Emergency Rooms follow standardized protocols for treating pneumonia in children. All 16 Emergency Rooms are equipped to manage severe cases. They can provide interventions such as oxygen therapy, bubble CPAP (a non-invasive form of respiratory support), and antibiotics when clinically indicated.

“In an emergency trained teams, clear protocols and access to the right treatment can make a critical difference,” said Dr Habib. He added that ChildLife remains committed to improving child survival through timely diagnosis and quality emergency care.

It is worth noting that, in partnership with the government, ChildLife Foundation provides free, 24/7 emergency care to 2 million children annually. The Foundation manages children’s Emergency Rooms and Telemedicine Satellite Centers in more than 350 public hospitals across Pakistan. The Foundation is working towards a vision in which every child in Pakistan is within 30 minutes of quality emergency care.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026