Respiratory illnesses hit record high
Punjab recorded a staggering 52,577 cases of respiratory illnesses in a single day, with Lahore contributing 3,069 cases to the total, as per data released by the primary and secondary healthcare department.
Over the past week, Lahore reported 34,000 cases, and the monthly count has reached a concerning 131,000.
The report revealed that asthma cases followed closely, with 2,953 reported across Punjab in 24 hours, including 242 in Lahore. Over the past week, 2,367 asthma cases were logged in the city, bringing the monthly tally to 6,847.
Cardiac diseases also showed alarming numbers, with 1,097 new cases across the province in the past day. Lahore alone accounted for 506 cases, pushing the weekly total to 3,601 and the monthly figure to 14,440.
Stroke incidents numbered 113 across Punjab within 24 hours, including 51 in Lahore. Weekly and monthly figures in Lahore stood at 338 and 778, respectively.
Eye diseases added to the province's health concerns, with 371 new cases reported in a day. Lahore recorded 90 of these cases, with weekly cases at 1,425 and the monthly total at 3,352.
The health department spokesperson stressed the need for preventive measures and increased awareness to curb the rising trend of these ailments, urging citizens to prioritise their health and seek timely medical attention.
Last week, data from the Punjab healthcare department revealed that nearly two million people sought medical treatment for breathing problems and other respiratory illnesses across the province in a single month, as record-breaking smog continued to blanket Punjab.
In response to the escalating crisis, advanced air quality monitors have been deployed in multiple cities across Punjab to track pollution levels and provide real-time data to aid mitigation efforts.
In the second phase of the project, an additional 25 monitors will be installed. Lahore now has eight monitors tracking air pollution.
The dense smog, attributed to toxic pollutants, has engulfed several cities over recent weeks, with Lahore and Multan bearing the brunt.