Pakistan sees rise in childhood pneumonia cases amid smog and cold wave

As Pakistanis battle the cold wave that comes along with the smog, the country has seen a significant increase in pneumonia cases affecting children the most.

With more than 18,000 cases of pneumonia and 300 deaths reported in January alone, Punjab – Pakistan’s most populous province – has been gripped by the spread of the disease due to dry and cold winters that increase children’s vulnerability to respiratory infections.

The development comes as the provincial government extended school holidays, reduced class hours and mandated face masks in an effort to protect children. Despite this, the Children’s Hospital in Lahore receives hundreds of cases every day.

Despite offering free vaccinations for respiratory diseases at six, 10 and 14 weeks of age, the country has long faced the challenge of increasing vaccine uptake in a nation where misinformation is rife and some even call it anti- Islamic.

The Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Awan urged parents to ensure that children under the age of two receive the full round of vaccines.

However, Awan said the available vaccines were not effective enough against the prevalent viral pneumonia. Detailing the stocks available, Dr Mukhtar clarified that there is sufficient stock of pneumonia vaccines that could be administered to both children and adults.

“Pneumonia vaccines are not available in the local market, while no one can import these vaccines into Pakistan without the prior permission of the government. The government imports vaccination vaccines from foreign countries only for children,” the EPI director said.

Premature births and stunting caused by malnutrition are also widespread, weakening children who then become easy prey for pneumonia.

Meanwhile, Unicef ​​said around half of childhood pneumonia deaths are linked to air pollution.

In December 2023, the pneumonia outbreak was reported by Geo Newshighlighting the large number of patients with chronic diseases and children who fall victim to lung infection and other respiratory diseases due to weak immunity with the advent of winter.

Health experts also warned of a sharp rise in pneumonia cases among the elderly and children. They suggested plenty of rest, hot drinks, steam baths or humidifiers in homes to humidify the air, and early consultations with doctors.

Pakistan is among the 13 countries worldwide where pneumonia spreads every year.