Letters to the Editor

Well done, Lovlina

It is a matter of great pride for us that Lovlina Borgohain, the Golaghat-based boxing prodigy scripted another history by winning the gold at the Asian Boxing Championship in the 75-kg category. She won the gold medal after beating Uzbekistan's Ruzmetova Sokhiba and became the first gold medalist of Assam in women boxing at the Asian Boxing Championship. Lovina's determination, diligence, hard labour and strong willpower may surely inspire our youths to overcome their struggles for achieving success in the field of games and sports. Well done Lovlina, go ahead. We expect more medals from you shortly.

Rupak G Duarah,

Rajahnagar, Guwahati-40

Fight against pneumonia

Around the world, pneumonia affects 55 million kids under the age of five each year. The burden of pneumonia in India is 23% of the global total, and case fatality rates range from 14% to 30%. Every 13 seconds, one person passes away. Pneumonia is still a disease that is ignored and is a "global cause without champions." World Pneumonia Day is celebrated every year on November 12 worldwide to raise awareness of the disease's causes and prevention because the majority of people are still unaware of these facts. The day also emphasizes calling for action to combat this disease. Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Patients who have pneumonia experience breathing difficulties as their lungs fill with fluid. Children are especially at risk in communities where vaccination rates are declining, malnutrition rates are rising as a result of food shortages, and homes use polluting fuels for cooking and heating. If immediate action is not taken to reach these children, including with oxygen and antibiotics, UNICEF has predicted an explosion in child deaths. By 2030, nearly nine million child deaths from pneumonia and other major diseases could be prevented if pneumonia prevention efforts were increased. Pneumonia is largely treatable with prompt access to the right management, such as antibiotics, hospital referrals, and oxygen when required. Additionally, vaccination awareness campaigns can be a key tool in lowering pneumonia-related fatalities. With new, efficient pneumonia vaccines now readily available, there have been significant changes and advancements. Therefore, to reduce the burden of preventable childhood pneumonia and deaths, it is imperative to increase public awareness of the illness and to strengthen, expedite, and sustain interventions to prevent and treat pneumonia.

Krishna Kumar Vepakomma,

Rajiv Nagar,

Hyderabad