PESHAWAR
As severe cold weather grips the upper regions of the country following heavy snowfall and rain, hospitals across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are witnessing a sharp increase in patient numbers.
A health department report on Sunday reveal that a significant rise in respiratory and chest-related illnesses has been reported, with children and elderly citizens being the most affected.
Due to the drop in temperatures, government hospitals in Peshawar and other districts of the province have seen a surge in patients suffering from breathing and chest infections, leading to overcrowded wards. According to the report, 8,642 cases were recorded within just one week in January. These figures cover the period from January 12 to January 18.
District-wise data shows that Charsadda report 2,573 cases, followed by Haripur with 2,554 cases and Swabi: 780 cases
Battagram, 583 cases Peshawar: 535 cases, Mardan: 324 cases, Swat: 287 cases, Abbottabad: 235 cases, Mohmand: 299 cases.
In the first week of January, slightly fewer than 8,462 cases were reported.
A large number of influenza cases have also been reported over the past three weeks. Nearly 12,000 influenza cases were documented during the last two epidemiological weeks, with 6,054 cases reported in one week and 6,190 cases in the following week.
Additionally, pneumonia cases have increased in several districts due to the extreme cold, particularly among children under the age of five. Hospitals reported 1,649 cases in the first week, 1,442 in the second week, and 1,541 cases in the third week.
Health authorities have urged citizens to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from cold-related illnesses.
