The Kano State Government says more than 17,000 children have been diagnosed with pneumonia across the state, raising concerns over childhood health.

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

He also revealed that over 300,000 children had been affected by the disease nationwide this year.

Yusuf warned that pneumonia could be life-threatening, particularly among malnourished children, assuring residents that the government was strengthening healthcare services, medical facilities and public awareness to improve prevention and treatment.