NAROWAL: The number of citizens affected by smog is increasing day by day. People suffering from throat and respiratory diseases are struggling to get treatment.

The staff of District Headquarters Hospital Narowal allegedly colluded to refer patients affected by smog to private hospitals and clinics for treatment.

Smog-affected patients are forced to get treatment at expensive private hospitals and clinics due to severe breathing problems and not getting treatment from government infirmaries.

Ayesha Parveen, a resident of Mohallah Khawajgan, said she has been suffering from shortness of breath and severe cough for a week. She said she had gone to the DHQ Hospital for her treatment, but due to the inattention and inappropriate behaviour of the duty doctor, her illness had intensified.

“I was anxious because of the difficulty in breathing and the pain in my throat,” Parveen said adding that the dispenser of the emergency ward asked for private hospital located on Circular Road due to oxygen requirement. She said she had spent thousands of rupees on laboratory tests and medicines during a week in the private hospital.

Abdul Shakoor, a 30-year-old resident of Ahmedabad town, said he is a patient of dust allergy and his disease has worsened due to the smog. He said he had gone to the DHQ Hospital for treatment where the duty doctor prescribed medicines without medical examination and asked him to buy from the market. “I am a poor man. I had travelled 20 km on public transport and reached a government hospital to get free medicines and the doctor had prescribed expensive medicine and asked to buy it from the market.”

Chief Executive Officer District Health Authority Narowal Dr Naveed Haider said special wards have been set up for patients affected by smog in DHQ, and THQ hospitals in Shakargarh and Zafarwal. He said doctors have been given special instructions regarding the treatment of patients affected by smog.

He said smog-stricken patients are being provided with free medicines, laboratory tests and investigation facilities in the government hospital. He said 24-hour treatment facilities are being provided to patients affected by smog in government hospitals. Narowal Deputy Commissioner Syed Hasan Raza said action is being taken against vehicles emitting smoke and those who burn garbage. He said walks and seminars are being organised to raise awareness among the citizens about smog.

He said the level of smog in Narowal district is very less as compared to Lahore.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2023