Natalie Bassingthwaighte Speaks Out About Childhood Pneumonia in Banghladesh

Natalie Bassingthwaighte Speaks Out About Childhood Pneumonia in Banghladesh

Every 20 seconds, a child dies from pneumonia. That's 4,320 young lives lost every day from a preventable, treatable disease that receives very little attention. This winter cold and flu season, Procter and Gamble's Vicks Breathe for Life Project will treat 75,000 children suffering from pneumonia in Bangladesh. The Vicks project is a global partnership with Save the Children that aims to reduce the number of child deaths from pneumonia in this developing country.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte, mother and Vicks Breathe for Life Project ambassador, recently saw the project in action, travelling with Save the Children to Bangladesh. The project focuses on pneumonia prevention, diagnosis and treatment in the most remote communities where access to basic healthcare is sparse.
"Visiting Bangladesh was a fascinating and humbling experience. As a mother I was horrified to see that children in this day and age are dying from pneumonia. The thought of losing a child to such an easily treatable disease seems unbearable, especially when it is within our power to prevent it," comments Natalie.

'In my role as ambassador for the Vicks Breathe for Life Project, I am passionate about encouraging Australians to join the fight against childhood pneumonia. In our own small way, this is an opportunity for mums, like me here in Australia, to help others. The great thing about this campaign is it's so easy for Australians to contribute to – you can buy any Vicks product or -like' the Vicks Australia Facebook page," she adds.

As a leader in respiratory health for over 100 years, Vicks understands that simple solutions to respiratory illnesses exist.

With support from Australians through the Vicks Breathe for Life Project, Save the Children aims to train an additional 1,600 health workers and village doctors who will provide accessible healthcare services to 135,000 children in Bangladesh. Save the Children will also reach 270,000 mothers and caregivers through the Vicks program, providing them with the skills to look out for the early warning signs of pneumonia.

'Save the Children has a long history working with developing countries to improve the lives of children around the world. With the support of Vicks and the Australian community, we'll be able to strengthen our work at the community level to train health workers on proper pneumonia diagnosis and treatment and to provide educational programs. We have a long term commitment with our partner, P&G to ensure we create a lasting change in those communities in need," comments Nicole Cardinal from Save the Children Australia.

How You Can Make a Difference
From 1 April, Australians can contribute to the Vicks Breathe for Life Project in two ways:
Purchase any Vicks product
'Like' the Vicks Australia Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/VicksAustralia

For every Vicks product bought and for every -like' on the Vicks Australia Facebook page, Vicks will make a donation to the Save the Children pneumonia campaign in Bangladesh.

About Vicks Breathe for Life Project
Vicks understands that addressing pneumonia requires a combination of treatment, diagnosis and preventative measures in the communities that are most at risk of pneumonia.

In 2012, the Vicks Breathe for Life Project aims to help Save the Children train an additional 1,600 health workers and village doctors who will help prevent, diagnose and treat pneumonia at community level. These health workers and village doctors help reduce child deaths from pneumonia in three ways:
Prevention: By reaching an additional 270,000 mothers and caregivers in remote Bangladesh communities, the Vicks Breathe for Life Project aims to increase awareness of the early warning signs of pneumonia in children and provide essential information on preventative techniques.
Diagnosis: By increasing the number of trained health workers and village doctors, the Vicks Breathe for Life Project will ensure that 135,000 additional children will have access to healthcare within their communities. These health workers and village doctors are critical to diagnosing and treating pneumonia.
Treatment: The treatment for severe pneumonia is a prompt, full course of antibiotics. Through the Vicks Breathe for Life Project, an additional 75,000 children will be treated for pneumonia through life-saving antibiotics, oxygen and other critical treatment.

Save the Children, the world's leading independent organisation for children, is creating lasting change by improving the lives of children around the world. Save the Children's vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

Disclaimer: Vicks range of products is for the relief of cough and cold symptoms. Vicks is not for the treatment of pneumonia. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.