No fewer than 17,000 children have been diagnosed with pneumonia in Kano State, with malnutrition identified as a major factor increasing the risk and severity of the potentially life-threatening disease.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, disclosed this during the joint commemoration of World Pneumonia Day and World Diabetes Day in Kano.

He also revealed that more than 300,000 children had been affected by pneumonia across Nigeria this year, raising concerns about the burden of the disease on children's health.

The figures were contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Ministry of Health, Nabilusi Abubakar K/Na'isa.

Yusuf warned that pneumonia could be particularly dangerous for young children, explaining that malnutrition increases their vulnerability to infection and could worsen the severity of the illness.

He said the state government had trained healthcare workers in specialised approaches to managing childhood illnesses to improve the quality of treatment available to affected children.

The commissioner explained that the event was organised to promote awareness of childhood pneumonia, encourage preventive measures, improve early detection and ensure appropriate treatment to reduce related deaths.

Speaking on diabetes, Yusuf described the condition as a serious health challenge requiring proper management to prevent complications.

He disclosed that more than 500 million people worldwide were living with diabetes, while an estimated 7.5 per cent of Kano State residents were also affected.

The commissioner said the state government had strengthened healthcare services for people living with diabetes through improved facilities and the provision of medical equipment.

He further revealed that more than 1,000 health facilities across the state had benefited from the distribution of medical equipment to improve diabetes screening and management.

Yusuf assured residents that the Ministry of Health would sustain public awareness campaigns on the prevention, early detection and proper management of pneumonia and diabetes.