ADC Bandipora inaugurates Training programme on Childhood Pneumonia awareness under SAANS initiative

BANDIPORA: Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Bandipora, Zaffar Husson Shawl, today inaugurated a training and awareness programme on childhood pneumonia under the ongoing SAANS (Social Awareness and Actions to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully) campaign at the Mini Secretariat Bandipora.

The programme, organized by the Health Department Bandipora in collaboration with Bal Raksha Bharat, aimed to strengthen awareness and capacity-building among frontline health workers, particularly ASHA and ANM workers, for early detection, prevention, and community management of childhood pneumonia in the district.

The session also featured an orientation presentation titled “Breath of Life– Targeting Childhood Pneumonia (0–5 years)”, focusing on the causes, symptoms, risk factors, and management of pneumonia. Experts from the Health Department shared insights on vaccination, exclusive breastfeeding, early diagnosis, and use of oxygen support at facilities, emphasizing community surveillance and referral linkages through ASHA and ANM workers.

Speaking on the occasion, ADC Bandipora appreciated the efforts of the Health Department and partner organizations for conducting such a meaningful programme. He said, “through these programmes, awareness is generated about how important the role of ASHA workers is in villages, they are doing fantastic work, though less people know about it.”

He highlighted that good health is the foundation of all development efforts, urging participants to learn extensively from the training to serve their communities more effectively.

The event forms part of the ongoing SAANS campaign running from November 12 to February 28, focusing on community-based awareness programmes, skill training, and pneumonia prevention through immunization, home-based neonatal care, and improved hygiene practices across the district.

Among others, the event was attended by Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Bandipora; Block Medical Officers, trainers, and frontline health workers, besides representatives from Bal Raksha Bharat.