In a concerning development, Pakistan is currently grappling with a staggering rise in malaria cases, with a reported 46,671 instances surfacing across the nation in just one week. The Ministry of Health has highlighted the gravity of the situation, revealing that the country is simultaneously facing other health emergencies, including over 0.1 million cases of cholera, 3,000 instances of typhoid, and 1,470 reported cases of dog bites.
Adding to the health woes, a substantial 20,638 cases of Acute Lower Respiratory Infection (ALRI) were reported in young children during the same week, underscoring the significant impact on pediatric health.
Further statistics from the health ministry paint a grim picture of the overall health challenges, encompassing 497 cases of measles, 163 cases of chickenpox, 217 instances of whooping cough, 56 cases of dengue fever, 15 meningitis cases, 11 diphtheria cases, 4 cases of rubella, and two cases of HIV-AIDS.
Additionally, the health system is contending with 4,837 cases of hepatitis B and C, along with 713 cases of hepatitis A and E.
The province of Punjab is particularly hard-hit, grappling with a spike in pneumonia cases. The latest data reveals that an additional 12 infected patients succumbed to pneumonia across the province, bringing the monthly death toll to 194.
In the last 24 hours alone, Lahore reported two fatalities and 491 new cases, contributing to the overall toll of 9,321 pneumonia cases in Punjab this year. Lahore alone registered 1,546 cases and 45 fatalities.
In response to the escalating pneumonia crisis, Caretaker Punjab Health Minister Dr Jamal Nasir issued a mandatory vaccination for children starting from January 11. Dr. Nasir stressed the importance of recognizing pneumonia symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, cough, cold, and fever. He urged preventive measures, advising parents to ensure their children wear warm clothing and avoid exposure to the cold.
