Dimapur, July 10 (EMN): Office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Kohima, along with the district health society under the department of Health and Family Welfare conducted a one-day training on ‘Social awareness and actions to neutralise pneumonia successfully (SAANS) for medical officers, community health officers and nurses at Para Medical Training Institute (PMTI) on July 7.
A press release from CMO’s Kohima informed that the SAANS campaign was launched to ensure early detection and greater awareness of pneumonia in children under the age of five.
“The campaign also aims to reduce child mortality due to pneumonia as pneumonia contributes to around 15% deaths annually of children under the age of five. Under the SAANS, the government is targeting reduction of pneumonia caused deaths by 2025 to less than 3 deaths out of 1000 live births,” the statement read.
Besides protecting children from pneumonia, the campaign aims to train healthcare personnel to provide prioritised treatment to control the disease.
The resource persons were Dr. Akatoli Angto, paediatrician from CHC Chiephobozou, and Dr. Ruyangulie Paphino, medical officer of Mezoma PHC. They have emphasised on three aspects – prevent, protect and treatment.
The trainees were also imparted on effective solution for pneumonia prevention such as breastfeeding, age appropriate complementary feeding, immunisation and good quality air, it added. A total of 38 participants attended the training.
In a related programme, a one-day district-level training on SAANS was conducted in the conference hall of the CMO’s office in Longleng town on July 6.
The programme was attended by CMO of Longleng, Dr. Obangjungla; district programme officer of RCH/ UIP, Dr. Meren Phom; community health officers; GNM and ANM from the health units of all the three blocks in Longleng district as well as DPM and DCM from DPMU (district programme management unit).
In her introductory note, Dr. Obangjungla highlighted on the important role of the medical staff towards the well being and growth of the community. She encouraged the healthcare workers to make the best use of the training and not to leave the training without gaining any knowledge.
Dr. Meren Phom chaired the orientation programme, while Dr. James Lingshau Phom, MO of Yachem Health Unit, was the resource person.
