'Smog aggravates pneumonia risk'

LAHORE BUREAU —More than one in four pneumonia deaths among people aged over 70 are attributable to air pollution and smoking. Smog makes lungs vulnerable to infection. Wearing masks and avoiding outdoor exposure on high AQI days is a medical necessity, warned General Cadre Doctors Association President Dr Masood Sheikh while addressing a workshop on World Pneumonia Day.

He said the very young and very old are at greatest risk. Children living in areas with low vaccination rates and malnutrition, and in homes that use polluting fuels for cooking and heating, are particularly vulnerable. About 60 per cent of all child pneumonia deaths are attributable to malnutrition.

Aging populations, urbanisation and air pollution are increasing the burden of respiratory infections, he added. Dr Sheikh stressed that to focus the world's attention on pneumonia, Countries will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goal for Child Survival without ensuring that all of their children are protected from pneumonia with good nutrition, clean air, vaccination and access to speedy diagnosis and treatment.

The association's Senior Vice President Dr Munir Ghauri said indoor smoke from biomass fuel and cigarettes is a major risk factor in Punjab. Dr Ahmad Qasim Khan said Lahore sees a surge in pneumonia cases from November to February due to smog, crowding and viral infections.