According to the Associated Press, about 70,000 people visit hospitals every day for respiratory-related diseases as the worst air pollution has continued since last month in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province.
Punjab state spokesman Uzma Bukari said the number of patients treated in national hospitals has so far exceeded 2.1 million due to the smog effect, adding that the number of patients is expected to continue to rise.
Earlier on the 11th, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) urged local authorities to come up with measures, saying the health of 11 million children under the age of 5 in Punjab is at serious risk.
Authorities have been operating more than 200 cars with medical equipment since last week and increasing the number of hospital beds in preparation for an increase in the number of hospitalized patients.
In addition, temporary school closures will continue until the 17th to protect children, and all parks and museums will be closed until the 18th.
The two major cities in Punjab, state capital Lahore and Multan, have both ranked first in the world in pollution, with an air quality index (AQI) above 400, Pakistani authorities said.
If the AQI exceeds 300, it is considered a health hazard.
Experts believe such air pollution is due to a combination of automobile fumes, dust from construction sites, and crop waste incineration smoke.
※ 'Your report becomes news'
[Kakao Talk] YTN Search and Add Channel
[Phone] 02-398-8585
[Mail] social@ytn.co.kr
[Copyright holder (c) YTN Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution and use of AI data prohibited]