LAHORE: Pneumonia has cast a grim shadow over Punjab as the lives of ten additional children were claimed by the infectious disease on Saturday, pushing the January death toll to a staggering 172. The recent surge in pneumonia-related fatalities, exacerbated by the intensifying cold weather, has prompted widespread concern.
Health department data reveals a sharp increase, with 1062 reported cases of pneumonia in the past 24 hours, predominantly concentrated in Lahore. Of particular distress is the revelation that 780 cases were documented in Lahore’s government hospitals during January alone, contributing to the overall count of 4900 pneumonia cases across Punjab.
In response to the alarming situation, the government has taken proactive measures, deciding to impose a ban on morning assemblies in schools until January 31. The move is aimed at curbing the spread of pneumonia among children, who are more vulnerable to the disease.
The Punjab Health Department reported a staggering 668 pneumonia cases in children on Saturday, further intensifying the gravity of the situation. This surge brings the cumulative count of pneumonia cases in Pakistan’s largest province to a concerning 7,700.
Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, had earlier extended winter vacations for students in prep and nursery classes on January 10, following the deaths of 36 children in the first ten days of January attributed to pneumonia.
The escalation in cases has not only strained the healthcare system but has also triggered shortages of critical medicines in Lahore. Pneumonia vaccines, along with drugs such as ‘Influ Week,’ are reportedly out of stock in local pharmacies, leading to a surge in medication prices. To counter this, the health ministry has intervened to prevent hoarding and artificial price inflation.
The evolving situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive public health interventions to address the pneumonia outbreak and protect the vulnerable pediatric population.
