By: Salman Yousafzai
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department on Thursday reported an increase in seasonal diseases due to rising environmental issues in the province.
The KP health department issued the report, which states that the air pollution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has risen, and the health of residents is likely to suffer. The report said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department reveals that the number of people affected by cold and seasonal illnesses has surged to 636,966 as of October this year, up from 436,862 patients last year.
The data indicates a significant rise in respiratory diseases, with cases climbing from 371,145 last year to 598,750 this year. Experts attribute this situation to the sudden drop in temperature, dry weather, and increased air pollution.
Interestingly, the Health Department’s report notes a decrease in pneumonia cases among children under five years old. This year, there were 4,080 reported cases, compared to 16,443 last year. Similarly, pneumonia cases among individuals over five have decreased from 13,181 to 5,365. However, there have been 6,524 cases of chronic lung diseases and 22,247 cases of asthma, which still show a decline compared to previous years.
The Health Department warns that the recent spike in air pollution and the intensifying cold weather may lead to an additional rise in respiratory, throat, and cold-related illnesses in the coming days. Medical experts urge citizens to take precautionary measures, such as wearing masks, drinking warm water, and ensuring that children and the elderly are protected from cold air.
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