At least 220 children have died of pneumonia in Pakistan’s Punjab province since January 1, health authorities reported on Wednesday.
Fourteen children died in the province from pneumonia infections in the past 24 hours alone, according to data shared by Punjab Health Department.
Health authorities linked the rise in deaths to the weather in Pakistan, with extreme cold and a lack of rain creating ideal conditions for pneumonia to take hold.
“Pneumonia cases happen each year but this year January remains dry, with no rainfall so far,” said Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in Punjab.
"Rainfall settles the dust and combats pollution level to a great extent."
Since January 1, a total of 10,520 pneumonia cases have been reported in the province. All the 220 deaths were in children under the age of five, with 47 deaths in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab.
Punjab has a population of 127.7 million.
Dr Ahmed said babies in Pakistan are usually administered with their first anti-pneumonia vaccine, called PCV, about six weeks after birth.
“From birth till the age of two, the EPI ensures that a baby receives 12 vaccines against different diseases," he said. "Of these, three are to protect children from pneumonia.
“Pneumonia can be caused by both bacteria and virus. Vaccinated children are safe against bacterial infection but they can still be affected by viral pneumonia."
Epidemic
Discussing the measures being taken by the government, he said separate wards have been established in various hospitals to tackle the pneumonia epidemic.
Ali Nawaz, a Lahore resident whose two-year-old nephew has suspected pneumonia, told The National the toddler was treated for four days at Services Hospital Lahore and is now well on the road to recovery.
“Initially, the child started coughing and subsequently caught fever the same day,” said Mr Nawaz. "However, when we took him to Children’s Hospital, we learnt it was pneumonia.
“After spending a day at Children Hospital Lahore, we took the child to Services Hospital where our relative is a senior doctor. After five days, the doctors have now advised that the baby can be taken home.”
The provincial government has launched a new working group of doctors and health officials to monitor pneumonia cases daily, said Dr Muhammad Younas, a senior Punjabi government health official.
“Emergency has been declared at hospitals,” he said. "The technical group registers the number of cases on a daily basis and also monitors various health facilities in the province to ensure adequate care for the patients.
“On the district level, too, staff members have been specified at hospitals to ensure proper treatment of pneumonia-hit children.”
He said the increase in cases was due to low rainfall and the intensity of the cold weather.
“I think the government has already maximised health facilities down to the union council level," he said.
He highlighted a lack of education around health care in some families.
"Many people still avoid family planning, particularly in rural areas, or lack education and they bring children to hospital when their child’s condition has already worsened.”
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Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
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Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
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The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
match info
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
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