After Lahore, pneumonia scare grips Multan

Data of pediatric pneumonia patients not compiled due to negligence

MULTAN:

An alarming increase in the number of children suffering chest infections, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases was reported in government hospitals in Multan. Forty children have died of pneumonia in the Children's Complex during the last fortnight, while over 100 children are undergoing treatment.

In spite of the figures, the South Punjab Health Secretariat remained unaware of the increasing number of patients.

Meanwhile, Nishtar Hospital administration could not even compile the data of pneumonia patients, in spite of steps taken by the provincial government.

Medical Superintendent Children Complex Dr Kamran Asif informed the media on Thursday that exactly 902 patients were recorded in the Inpatient department (IDDs), while 45 visited the Outpatient department (OPD) in the health facility.

The MS said that owing to harsh weather conditions, patients were reporting suffering from other health issues besides pneumonia. Dr Kamran advised the parents to take extra care of their children in chillier winter and nebulize them properly in case of chest infection.

Read  Cold wave spurs pneumonia spurt

Over 40 percent of children are suffering from pneumonia and chest infections in the Children's Complex, which carries the burden of sick children from Balochistan, South Punjab and Sindh among other areas.

According to MS Children's Complex Dr Kamran Asif, 15 children suffering from pneumonia died in the Children's Complex during the last two weeks. According to Children's Complex spokesman Dr Maaz, 110 children are presently undergoing treatment for respiratory ailments in the Children's Complex.

Most of the children suffering from pneumonia are being referred from Multan and the suburbs of South Punjab in a deteriorated condition. The number of patients with pneumonia and chest infection has increased due to severe cold, smog and fog.

Read  Pneumonia scare grips Punjab

On the other hand, despite the strict notice of Chief Minister Punjab, Nishtar Hospital administration has been unable to compile the data of children suffering from pneumonia.

Negligence on the part of MS Nishtar Hospital Dr Kazim and other administrative officers is on the rise, while the South Punjab Health Secretariat also remained unaware of the outbreak, due to which adequate measures could not be taken in hospitals.

In this regard, Chairman of the Department of Medicine Dr Azam Khan said that children suffer from respiratory diseases in general amidst the severe cold of January and stressed the importance of preventative measures.

Children up to the age of five must be given all kinds of immunizations and parents should keep children in warm clothes at all times in the cold. If children show symptoms of cold, cough, flu or fever, parents consult a qualified physician or the nearest government hospital immediately so that timely treatment of children can be prevented from pneumonia and other diseases, Dr Khan added.

With additional input from APP

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2024.