Health experts on Wednesday warned that the continued thick smog in various cities of the country has become a real threat to citizens’ health, as the air pollution rate is increasing to an alarming level and leading to multiple chest infection diseases like pneumonia.
Speaking to a private news channel, a specialist in ENT, Dr. Afnan Hayat, said that children and elders are physiologically more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because their brains, lungs, and other organs are still developing, adding that hospitals were on high alert with beds and ventilators set aside for extra emergency cases. He advised that pneumonia is undoubtedly a risky respiratory health infection that can become a big problem when air pollution levels flare up. Citizens should keep themselves indoors during fog times; the risk of pneumonia and other severe respiratory problems has doubled and also increased the risk of mortality, he added.
“In cases of fog and smog, people are advised to take some precautionary measures and vaccinate their children,” he added. The expert also suggested plenty of rest, warm beverages, steam baths, the use of humidifiers in houses for air moisture, and timely consultations with doctors. Replying to a question, he mentioned that pneumonia begins with symptoms of fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Not only adults can get pneumonia, but children and the elderly can also experience it. Interim Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare and Population Welfare, Dr. Jamal Nasir, added that
Smog was an additional factor in the increased respiratory diseases. He confirmed that the number of pneumonia cases was higher than the previous year and asked citizens for a timely vaccination. Talking about the shortage of vaccines, he made it clear that in Punjab, demand for vaccines was increasing due to this issue. Patients were facing problems, but the provincial government was taking all-out steps to fulfil the demand in hospitals.