According to local doctors, lung disease has become a common ailment amongst children in conflict-affected areas of Mon State.
Pneumonia is prevalent in most townships, including Mawlamyine. It is especially common in areas affected by military conflict, because children cannot receive vaccinations, according to a doctor treating children displaced by the war in Kyaikhto township.
“Pneumonia is more common in conflict-affected regions, particularly in areas without access to vaccines. When children are forced to flee these areas, they often miss out on essential vaccinations due to the inaccessibility of healthcare workers. Additionally, children taking refuge in the jungle face malnutrition and limited access to food, further increasing their susceptibility to the disease. Also the rainy season compounds their health concerns,” said the doctor.
According to doctors, pneumonia is a disease that can be transmitted via colds, runny noses, coughing, air pollution, inadequate nutrition, and a lack of vaccination, which may be exacerbated by climate change. Pneumonia is particularly prevalent during the rainy season and is most commonly observed among children as young as one month to six years old.
Pneumonia can cause symptoms, including coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, and low body temperature. Doctors emphasize that it should not be ignored, as it can be life-threatening.
The doctor advised, “Children should receive full vaccinations, maintain a healthy diet, live in areas with fresh air, and avoid close contact with individuals who have pneumonia.”
According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), nearly 3 million people, including children, die from lung diseases worldwide each year, with one-third of these cases attributed to air pollution.
