Over 2 million people in Punjab suffer from smog-related illnesses

Worsening smog crisis Lahore prompted over two million residents to seek medical care at healthcare facilities in a month due to severe respiratory problems and other health complications.

The statistics shared by the Punjab Healthcare department showed that 1,934,030 visited healthcare, with 126,230 patients hailing from Lahore.

At least 68,917 cases of different respiratory diseases, including breathing issues and chest infections, were reported during two days of the ongoing week in the province.

Of the said cases, 6,236 were reported from Lahore, where the average reading of hazardous air was recorded at 1,100 on AQI for weeks.

The polluted air and smog was increasing its circle beyond Lahore as dense and toxic pollution engulfed several cities in Punjab over the past few weeks, with Lahore and Multan being the most severely affected.

AQI has already crossed 2,000 twice and set another record for worse air pollution.

This year, Punjab has experienced the severe impact of smog on health as cases of respiratory issues, asthma, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and conjunctivitis recorded an out-breaking increase. 

The figures mentioned in the data showed that 4,646 people affected by asthma were brought healthcare, 275 of ischemic heart disease, 134 suffered a stroke, and 701 conjunctivitis cases were reported in the last 24 hours across Punjab. 

Following the severe impacts of smog on human lives, the World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan urged the government to take immediate mitigating action against the “smog crisis”.

In a formal appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, WWF-Pakistan called for a nationwide health emergency with immediate steps to curb pollution sources, including high-emission vehicles, industries, and construction activities.