UNICEF urges Pakistan to address hazardous air pollution threatening 11 million children
Islamabad: UNICEF's Pakistan representative, Abdullah Fadil, has raised urgent concerns about the severe health risks faced by approximately 11 million children in Punjab, who are currently exposed to hazardous air. Fadil appealed to the Pakistan government to implement immediate measures to mitigate the worsening air pollution, which is particularly endangering young children and expectant mothers.
Fadil stated, "I am extremely concerned about the well-being of young children who are forced to breathe polluted, toxic air," noting that over 11 million children under five are at risk in the most affected districts. He added that even before this year's severe smog, air pollution accounted for 12% of deaths among children under five, a figure likely to rise given the current crisis.
Highlighting additional dangers, Fadil mentioned that pregnant women exposed to polluted air face increased risks of premature births, respiratory issues, and low birth weights in infants. He stressed the need for urgent intervention to secure the health, education, and well-being of Pakistan's children, asserting that clean air is an essential right for every child.
According to Dawn, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Punjab has reached critical levels, with Sialkot and six other districts recording AQI scores above 400, and one district reaching a staggering 774. In response, local authorities have closed schools until November 17 and restricted public access to parks, zoos, playgrounds, and museums to reduce exposure.
UNICEF's Islamabad office also reported unprecedented pollution levels in cities like Lahore and Multan, with hospitals admitting numerous patients, including young children, suffering from air pollution-related ailments.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Pakistan reports two more polio cases; Total tally now 52
ISLAMABAD: At least two more cases of poliovirus were reported in Pakistan, taking the number of infections to 52 so far this year, a report said on Friday.
“The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of two more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases in Pakistan," an official statement said.
The fresh infections — a boy and a girl — were reported from the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is underway," the statement read. Dera Ismail Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reported five polio cases so far this year.
Of the 52 cases in the country this year, 24 are from Balochistan, 13 from Sindh, 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
There is no cure for polio. Only multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five can keep them protected.
