The WHO, ahead of the World Pneumonia Day, said this disease affects children and families anywhere, but deaths are highest in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Pneumonia has killed as many as 740,180 children under the age of 5 in 2019, accounting for 14% of all deaths of children under 5 years old.

Children can be protected from pneumonia, it can be prevented with simple interventions, and treated with low-cost, low-tech medication and care.

Pneumonia should be treated with antibiotics, but only a third of children receive the medications they need, WHO said in a statement.

According to WHO, Covid-19 can cause severe pneumonia and patients need oxygen, so we are working with countries and partners around the world in order to guarantee oxygen supply.

Established in celebration of the Stop Pneumonia initiative in 2009, the date seeks each year to raise awareness and advocate for global action against the disease.

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