Winning the Battle Against Pneumonia Through Dance

Dra. Sally Gatchalian – Medical Director-Biologicals

Some people dance to unwind. Others dance to get fit. But the members of the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists (PAPP), with the world’s leading healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline, believe that the art of dance can do so much more than just to relieve stress or tone one’s body. This year, the admirable organization of the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists (PAPP) will be taking graceful steps to save Filipino children from pneumonia.

On March 22, 2011 at 4:00PM, dozens of physicians will be taking the stage to show off their dance moves, raise funds for, and increase awareness of pneumonia, the number 1 cause of death among Filipino children (according to a 2010 Lancet report). “Move! Step Up Against Pneumonia”, a dance revolution, is one of the many groundbreaking projects that the PAPP has undertaken to help promote the health of Filipino children and to generate, integrate, and disseminate knowledge of pediatric pulmonary medicine within the country.

Dra. Mary Ann Aison – Organizing Committee Head of PAPP Annual Convention

According to the World Health Organization, infections and diseases caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium are the leading causes of deaths of children all over the world, with about 800,000 kids dying from pneumococcal diseases globally every year. It is estimated that 37 Filipino children die every day because pneumonia.

Pneumococcal disease can be prevented through immunization, with the vaccine usually given during the first year of life. Unfortunately, the vaccine is not yet included in the childhood immunization program of the government due to lack of funds. Most of the countries in Asia however, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan have already incorporated the routine use of pneumococcal vaccines to infants.

Fortunately, in the Philippines, about a hundred doctors will trade their white coats for dancing shoes for a day as they shake, move, and sway to lively music to raise awareness on the need to protect children from pneumonia through vaccination. Jason and Joshua Zamora from the popular local dance troupe Maneuvers, will lead PAPP members through new, funky dance steps to help give hope and pneumonia-free lives to Filipino children. For each dancing doctor and guest who participates in the event, GSK will donate a pneumococcal vaccine to a child on their behalf.

This year’s “Move!” is the third installment in a series of dance events that aims to get everyone—from doctors, nurses, and pediatricians to parents and families—involved in the fight against pneumonia.

Last year’s Move!, which featured dancing doctors and three cities in Metro Manila, was able to protect over one thousand Filipino children from pneumonia. This year, the PAPP aims to help even more kids through the donation of vaccines and the raising of awareness among colleagues, guests, and the public with the help of the media.