Parliamentarians for Pneumonia

Was World Pneumonia Day a success?  Well, if you judge it by the response of parliamentarians and elected officials around the world, then it sure seems like one.

For the first time ever elected officials around the world were speaking out on behalf of pneumonia prevention and treatments for children, standing up and doing their part to support pneumonia efforts and in some cases, declaring quite honestly that they never knew until World Pneumonia Day that pneumonia was such a big problem.

First let’s thank Carol Shea-Porter for her speech on the US House of Representatives floor and the dozens of congresswomen and congressmen, from all parties, who voted, 421 to 1, to endorse a House resolution on pneumonia prevention, treatment, and recognition of World Pneumonia Day.  To my knowledge, this is the first parliamentary resolution ever dedicated solely to the issue of pneumonia.  And just this morning, in the US Capitol Building, I had the privilege of joining a long-time leader in the child survival and global health field, former Senator Bill Frist, for an event attended by more than 50 individuals.  This event was organized by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), the US Coalition for Child Survival, and Save the Children (Senator Frist is chairman of Save’s Survive to 5 campaign).

In the United Kingdom, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Prevention of Pneumococcal Disease Prevention in the developing world (the only parliamentary group in the world dedicated specifically to prevention of Pneumonia in children), held a briefing in the House of Commons that was attended by more than 50 participants. In his letter of support, David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, reminded us that it is exactly at this time of financial uncertainty that more than ever requires us to lend a hand to those in need. Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said that World Pneumonia Day is an opportunity to remind the world of this terrible illness and the need for action.  Not to be out done, the ruling Labor Party Secretary for International Development, Douglas Alexander MP, provided a video message articulating the ongoing support Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government is providing for pneumonia prevention and control around the world.

But more importantly than events in Washington and London, for the first time ever, parliaments in developing countries, where the bulk of pneumonia deaths occur, were active locally.  In Bangladesh, Mr. Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP was active at a local media event, that was preceded by a march to Parliament by over 400 local Bangladeshis.  And even better, this was a parliamentarian to parliamentarian connection because Mr. Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi MP, was joined by Des Turner, MP, a UK Parliamentarian who leads the UK All Party Group.  In other countries severely affected by pneumonia like Nigeria and Uganda there are other examples of elected officials taking the lead. 

A day dedicated to a disease that takes the lives of 2 million children a year is not a reason for celebration.  But if a celebration is in order, it is to thank the many elected officials and parliamentarians who are taking up the cause and stressing that it is a non-partisan issue.  With some sustained political will and increased resources, we can deliver the package of pneumonia interventions that will prevent 1 million child deaths a year by 2015.  And with their leadership, we should be able to announce soon that pneumonia is no longer the leading killer of children worldwide.  That would be a legitimate reason to celebrate World Pneumonia Day.

 

Follow Dr. Orin Levine on Twitter: www.twitter.com/orinlevine

Comments

[OrinLevine]

I had the same reaction. I'm told that the one nay was Ron Paul (R-TX).

[rwazaghan]

Fantastic news. Just curious, in the 421 to 1vote - who was the 1?