Seven kids fall prey to pneumonia

At least seven children lost their lives because  of pneumonia in Punjab on  Sunday, including two in  Lahore. The province is grappling  with a rise in cases of  pneumonia amidst smog  and dry cold weather.

The fatalities increased the total death toll from  the disease in te province  during the ongoing season  to 179. The health authorities reported 230 new pneu- monia cases in Punjab, including 135 in Lahore.  

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Lahore’s total cases now  stand at 1,290 among 7,963  recorded across the province. Hospitals, particu- larly in Lahore, are treating  a large number of patients  of pneumonia, chest and  viral infections.  The Children’s Hospital  has admitted 58 patients.  

Officials stressed the criti- cal importance of complet- ing the course of protective  vaccinations for children.  However, scarcity of  pneumonia vaccine and  medicines in the market  is posing challenges. The health department advised  parents to play their cru-cial role in combating the  escalating health crisis.