Pneumonia, diphtheria medicines available in abundance

LAHORE: Caretaker Provincial Minister for Health Prof Dr Javed Akram has informed that all types of medicines and immunisations related to pneumonia and diphtheria are available in abundance in the Children’s Hospital.

‘This wave of pneumonia occurs every winter and especially affects children under five years of age. Children under one year of age are most affected by this disease,’ he said while addressing a press conference regarding the increase in cases of pneumonia among children across the province at the University of Child Health Sciences.

The minister, while answering the questions of the journalists, said there is an increase in cases of pneumonia among children in January. Parents keep their children fully vaccinated. Sleeping in the same room with more people in the house should also be avoided. Along with UNICEF, awareness about the importance of breastfeeding is being spread throughout the province. The Sehat Sahulat programme is not being stopped, but more improvements are being made in it. The Sehat Sahulat programme was initiated by the PMLN government and the PTI government brought reforms in the programme.

Earlier, the minister reviewed the ongoing progress on revamping Children’s Hospital Lahore. On this occasion, University of Child Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Sadiq, Medical Director Children Hospital Prof Dr Tipu Sultan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Junaid Rashid, representatives of the Department of Construction and Communications (C&W) were present.

Prof Junaid Rashid gave a detailed presentation regarding pneumonia in children and all the experts expressed their opinions regarding pneumonia, people were informed about pneumonia through the media.

The minister said that the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) advisory on diphtheria was also discussed. The National Institutes of Health has issued guidelines on pneumonia and whooping cough. A 100% free treatment was ensured as per the instructions of the Punjab government, especially the chief minister. The work of revamping is going on in 113 government hospitals of Punjab, including Children’s Hospital Lahore.

According to the vision of the chief minister, government hospitals are being revamped. Patient data is being collected in Children’s Hospital Lahore under HIMS system. There is no medical store around Children’s Hospital Lahore because all kinds of medicines are provided free-of-charge to the patients.

Dr Javed Akram said that the immunity of children is generally very low, so there is an increase in the number of cases in January. Statistics regarding pneumonia and whooping cough in Punjab are not alarming. Breast feeding also reduces the chances of breast cancer. We should not take our children to any hospital unnecessarily. A play area is also being built in Children’s Hospital Lahore.

University of Child Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Sadiq said that parents should take their child to the hospital immediately if child’s breathing is fast or sleepy.