Lahore
People are suffocating in Lahore, Pakistan. People are troubled by the severe pollution. In the last 30 days, more than 19 lakh people suffering from respiratory diseases have reached government hospitals for treatment. On Saturday alone, more than 75,000 people in Pakistan’s Punjab province rushed to hospitals with respiratory problems caused by toxic smog and air pollution. Apart from this, 3,359 asthma patients, 286 heart disease sufferers, 60 stroke sufferers and 627 conjunctivitis patients were treated. The highest number of cases related to air pollution have been reported in Lahore. Here 5,353 people are facing respiratory problems. These include 359 asthma patients, 171 heart patients, 20 stroke victims and 303 conjunctivitis. Major hospitals of Lahore are full of patients. The number of respiratory patients is continuously increasing.
Health emergency in Lahore and Multan divisions
Schools, colleges and universities closed in both the divisions.
The government has banned all public activities.
All the parks were also closed.
The opening hours of markets were limited.
Resort to artificial rain was taken in many areas.
Holidays of medical staff cancelled.
If the number of patients increases, the health system may collapse.
A senior official of the monitoring branch of the health department said that the number of patients in hospitals has reached its peak. It may be difficult to control the increasing number of patients in outpatient and emergency departments in the coming days. According to a health official, more than 1.91 million people have been admitted to government hospitals suffering from respiratory diseases in the last 30 days. Of these, 133,429 cases are from Lahore only. 119,462 asthma patients have also been reported. Of these, 5,577 victims are from Lahore.
Situation serious in Lahore
Of the 13,862 heart patients in Pakistan’s Punjab province, 5,455 are from Lahore. Of the 5,141 stroke patients, 491 belong to Lahore. Of the total 11,913 conjunctivitis victims, 1,945 are from Lahore alone. Health department spokesperson Saeed Hamad Raza admitted that the situation is serious. He assured that the authorities have made elaborate arrangements in hospitals. All emergency leaves of medical staff have been cancelled. Services are being provided round the clock.
