Today's Edition
Khaled Al Khawaldeh (Abu Dhabi)
In the Middle East and Africa region, pneumonia remains a leading cause of death among children under five. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the disease accounted for 14% of all deaths in this age group in 2019, killing over 740,000 children.
The impact on adults is also profound, particularly for the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Pneumonia, a serious lung infection, poses a significant threat to vulnerable groups such as children under five, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions like lung or heart disease and diabetes.
Caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, the illness can spread through the air or by contact and, once contracted, it can escalate quickly, with potentially deadly consequences.
Dr. Hammam Haridy, Senior Director, Regional Medical & Scientific Affairs, Vaccines and Anti-Virals, Pfizer Middle East, Russia, and Africa (MERA) told Aletihad, that it is particularly during the cooler months, when social interaction increases, that taking steps to protect ourselves and our children is most critical.
"While the impact of the disease can be significant, with the right preventative measures, societies can reduce the burden on local healthcare systems, public health and the economy," Dr. Haridy said.
According to WHO data published in 2020, the UAE does moderately well on a global scale. The WHO found that Influenza and pneumonia accounted for 705 deaths in the UAE, representing 3.62% of total deaths.
The age-adjusted death rate was 39.12 per 100,000 population, ranking the UAE 69th in the world for influenza and pneumonia mortality.
Dr. Haridy said that vaccination is one of the most effective tools in preventing pneumonia and other infectious diseases, second only to clean water.
He emphasised the importance of restoring the public's confidence in vaccines in fighting the spread and the impacts of pneumonia.
"Vaccines are among the most regulated products worldwide, undergoing rigorous clinical trials to ensure they meet high safety and efficacy standards throughout their lifecycle. For decades, safe and effective vaccines have protected millions globally," he said.
Dr. Haridy said that in addition to vaccines, good hygiene practices were essential. Pneumonia-causing pathogens often spread through coughing, sneezing or even breathing. Frequent handwashing, especially after nose-blowing or before eating, can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
According to Dr. Haridy, preventing pneumonia has far-reaching benefits for public health and the economy. Reducing cases lessens the strain on healthcare systems, allowing resources to be allocated to other patients. Vaccination is also cost-effective; immunizing a child costs significantly less than treating a case of pneumonia. Additionally, he says healthier populations are more productive, with fewer sick days contributing to economic growth.
A study analysing data from the Dubai Real-World Claims Database between 2014 and 2019 assessed the economic burden of pneumonia among adults. The findings indicated that mean all-cause healthcare costs per patient were approximately 45% higher in the follow-up period ($1,947) compared to the pre-index period ($1,327).
The study emphasised that pneumonia imposed a significant healthcare burden in the UAE, especially among high-risk patients with severe comorbidities.
"Minimising the number of people who develop pneumonia and require hospitalization will free up healthcare resources for other patients and can help to improve the quality of care for everyone," Dr. Haridy said.
