Due to an outbreak of conjunctivitis (pink eye), the Punjab government announced on Wednesday that all public and private schools in the state will be closed from September 28 to October 1.
As you know, conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the translucent membrane that lines the upper and lower eyelids and the eyeball.
Pink Eye Outbreak Getting Severe in Punjab
However, the epidemic is still spreading and has taken a heavy toll in Punjab, with state-run hospitals across the province reporting 500-600 victims.
Meanwhile, Lahore has the greatest number of pink eye infections in the province. The frightening increase in infections has had a significant impact, as indicated by new research demonstrating that the infection affects people of all ages.
Moreover, a substantial number of school-aged children have reported pink eye infections, owing mostly to a failure to follow procedures at school.
Order For Schools
According to reports, school administrators are allowing pupils to remain home as soon as they get the illness and asking parents to take special care of their children.
Moreover, pink eye is expanding rapidly in highly populated cities where individuals are exposed to unfavorable settings such as factories, bazaars, markets, and shopping malls, according to medical specialists.
Punjab School Education Department Announcement
Because of the increase in cases, the Punjab School Education Department announced four-day holidays today.
However, It stated that all schools would reopen on Monday (October 2) and would follow the department’s standard operating protocols to prevent the spread of the disease.
It directed all chief executive officers in the province to guarantee that the directive was followed.
حکومت پنجاب نے 2023-09-28 سے 2023-10-01 تک تمام سرکاری اور نجی سکولوں میں چھٹیوں کا اعلان کردیا#bignews #students #holidays #schools #reopen #monday @SchoolEduPunjab @MohsinnaqviC42 @MohsinEPunjab @GovtofPunjabPK pic.twitter.com/5ox04vmiL2
— Chief Minister Office Punjab (@cmopunjabpk) September 27, 2023
Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi Video Message
Separately, interim Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a video message today that the holidays were decided to reduce the average spread of the disease, anticipating that the action would result in a 50% drop in cases.
He stated that when educational institutions across the province reopened, students’ eyes would be inspected.
نگران وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب @MohsinnaqviC42 نے 2023-09-28 سے 2023-10-01 تک تمام سرکاری اور نجی سکولوں میں چھٹیوں کا اعلان کردیا#bignews #students #holidays #schools #reopen #monday @SchoolEduPunjab @cmopunjabpk pic.twitter.com/ZfKEcM5Bj6
— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) September 27, 2023
Dr. Jamal Nasir, Caretaker Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Public Message
Meanwhile, Dr. Jamal Nasir, caretaker Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare, stated that eye surgeons in government hospitals across the province have been instructed to remain vigilant throughout the day.
He stated that hospitals were given an abundant supply of eye drops, and that special arrangements were made to treat conjunctivitis patients at Rawalpindi’s Holy Family Hospital, Lahore’s Mayo Hospital, and Multan’s Nishtar Hospital.
لاہور — آشوب چشم کے مریض علاج اور رہنمائی کے لئے ہیلپ لائن 1033 پر رابطہ کریں۔ ڈاکٹر جمال ناصر وزیر پرائمری و سیکنڈری ہیلتھ کیئر
صوبے بھر کے سرکاری ہسپتالوں میں آئی سرجنز کو 24 گھنٹے الرٹ رہنے کی ہدایت کر دی گئی ہے۔ڈاکٹر جمال ناصر
تمام ہسپتالوں میں آئی ڈراپس وافر مقدار میں مہیا… pic.twitter.com/Hyh2zqdURP— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) September 27, 2023
To read our blog on “720 dengue cases has currently been registered in Rawalpindi,” click here.
