NATIONAL INTEGRATED PNEUMONIA CONTROL AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Plan · Health
A Plan establishes Nigeria's strategy for preventing, diagnosing, and treating pneumonia, the leading cause of child deaths. It targets children under five, healthcare workers, and state health ministries. This seeks to reduce mortality through vaccines, nutrition, and early treatment.
NATIONAL INTEGRATED PNEUMONIA CONTROL AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
What Is This Policy?
A national plan that outlines Nigeria's strategy for preventing, diagnosing, and treating pneumonia — the leading cause of child mortality in Nigeria — through integrated health system interventions.
Who Does It Target?
Children under 5 years old, especially in high-burden states Healthcare workers in primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities State ministries of health Community health workers and caregivers
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Reduce pneumonia-related child mortality through universal access to prevention (vaccines, nutrition), early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment including antibiotics and oxygen therapy.
Key Features
Vaccination Scale-Up: Promotes universal coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and other childhood vaccines that prevent pneumonia. Case Management: Provides clinical protocols for community health workers and facility staff to diagnose and treat pneumonia at the appropriate level of care. Oxygen Access: Advocates for functional oxygen systems in all hospitals managing severe pneumonia cases. Community Engagement: Deploys community health workers for case-finding, referral, and caregiver education on danger signs.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active - being implemented through the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) framework Coverage: Nationwide, with priority in high-burden northern states Beneficiaries: Children under 5; their families and caregivers Funding: Federal Ministry of Health; UNICEF, WHO, and donor support
How to Access
Caregivers should present sick children at the nearest health facility Healthcare workers should follow IMCI protocols for pneumonia assessment Vaccines available through routine immunisation at primary health centres Application method: Access services at any primary health centre or paediatric facility.
Impact & Metrics
Progressive reduction in under-5 pneumonia mortality; expanded PCV coverage across all states.
Official Resources
Website: https://www.health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health - Child Health Department
Legal Framework
Operates under the National Health Act 2014, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency Act, the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response system, and the Nigeria Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Draws on WHO Integrated Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD).