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Every Breath Counts, a global campaign to raise awareness and catalyse investment for the prevention and treatment of pneumonia, has declared November as Pneumonia Month. The condition, which affects the lungs, is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5, killing nearly one million children every year.

Ahead of the World Pneumonia Day to be marked on Saturday, November 12, Every Breath Counts said in a statement released yesterday that Nigeria has the second highest pneumonia mortality in the world. The group, which comprises of diverse partners from across several sectors, said pneumonia needs more than just one day in a year dedicated to raising awareness for its prevention and treatment.

The group has received the endorsement of Aisha Buhari, wife of the Nigerian President, among other prominent figures who are supporting the campaign to end pneumonia. Hadiza Aliyu, Rahama Sadau and Ali Nuhu, will take part in the campaign in Nigeria, with Ali Nuhu (@alinuhu) leading a twitter chat today to discuss his role in the campaign. The Pneumonia Month campaign will run through January 2017.    

According to the World Health Organisation, pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. It is a preventable and treatable disease. World Pneumonia Day was established in 2009 to raise awareness about the toll of pneumonia and to advocate for global action to protect against, help prevent, and effectively treat the deadly illness, that kills more children under 5 than malaria, measles and HIV/AIDS, combined.