Seasonal ailments on the rise
REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE
Given the prevalent drought-like situation in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the seasonal ailments of flu, cold, cough, skin allergies, conjunctivitis and fever have spread among a large number of people, forcing them to make long queues in the allied hospitals, street clinics and other private medical facilities.
According to sources, more than 3,000 patients have started visiting the outpatient department of the allied hospitals every day with a high turnover of children suffering from seasonal ailments. They said the private hospitals and small clinics are also witnessing an unusual rush of patients suffering from these diseases due to the cold and dry weather conditions.
The sources said due to the lack of rain in the twin cities for a long time, both the cities are beset with dust which affects the people in the streets, markets and commercial centres throughout the day, increasing the air pollution of the twin cities immensely.
They said the officials of the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation and the Cantonment Boards should ensure the sprinkling of water on the streets to keep the dust settled.
At present, Islamabad ranks at 160, Rawalpindi at 164, Attock at 134, Chakwal at 154 and Jhelum ranks at 143 in the air pollution index whereas Murree has crossed the 100 mark. Due to a continuous increase in air pollution, smog has also started to engulf the open-air areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including Rawat, Adiala, Chakri, Sihala, Golra, Seham, Bhara Kahu in the morning hours.
For the better health of the children who come from distant areas for education and teaching in the twin cities, teachers and clerk organisations have demanded that the school hours be changed from 8.30am to 9am.
On the other hand, due to the continuous increase in cold, flu, cough and fever patients, the doctors of the neighbourhood clinics have also increased their fees.
This year, instead of Rs250, a fee of Rs350 is being charged from such patients while Rs500 to Rs600 are being charged from those who are administered an injection.
Medical stores have also increased the prices of cough, cold and flu pills and syrups. The price of a bottle of cough syrup has been increased from Rs100 to Rs150.
According to Met Department, there is no possibility of rain for the next 10 days while the health department has appealed for prayers for rain.
The Department of Agriculture has appealed to the citizens to offer Namaz-e-Istisqa (prayer for rain) next Friday for the sowing of crops in rainy areas.
On the other hand, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Inayat says “It is a dry winter. At sunset and dawn, cover your ears and chest with sweaters, coats and jackets while going outside. All persons travelling on motorcycles must wear jackets, helmets and masks.”
Dr Inayat advised the citizens to refrain from having cold drinks and ice cream in the cold weather.
“Tea, coffee, soup and yakhni should be used more,” he said, adding that the citizens must use masks to protect themselves from dust and dirt.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2023.