By The Punjab government made an important announcement on Wednesday regarding the health of students in the province. They decided to temporarily close all public and private schools from September 28 to October 1 due to an outbreak of a condition called conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye.
Conjunctivitis is an eye condition where the transparent membrane covering the eyelid and eyeball becomes inflamed. Unfortunately, this disease has affected a significant number of people in Punjab, with state-run hospitals reporting between 500 to 600 cases. The city most affected by this outbreak is Lahore, where the highest number of infections has been reported. It’s concerning to note that people of all age groups are being affected by this infection, and it seems to be spreading more quickly in densely populated areas.
To address this rising health concern, the Punjab School Education Department has officially declared a four-day break for all schools in the province. Punjab’s Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare, Dr. Jamal Nasir, has taken measures to ensure swift treatment for those affected. Eye surgeons in government hospitals throughout Punjab are now available 24/7 to handle cases of pinkeye, and an adequate supply of eye drops has been distributed to facilitate treatment.
Conjunctivitis, whether caused by infection or allergies, usually gets better on its own within a few weeks without the need for treatment. Chief Minister Naqvi, after visiting a school, emphasized the rapid spread of conjunctivitis among students. As a response, strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be enforced starting Monday in all educational institutions across the province. These procedures include regular eye inspections for every child as they enter school premises.
Furthermore, Dr. Jamal Nasir ensured that hospitals in Punjab, such as Rawalpindi’s Holy Family Hospital, Lahore’s Mayo Hospital, and Multan’s Nishtar Hospital, are well-prepared to treat conjunctivitis patients. They have an ample supply of eye drops and have made special arrangements for the treatment of affected individuals.
In summary, due to the outbreak of conjunctivitis in Punjab, schools are temporarily closed to protect the health of students, and measures have been put in place to provide swift treatment and prevent further spread of the disease.
