Experts warn of increased deaths among the elderly and an increase in flu-related illnesses
KARACHI:
As the winter season sets in, major public hospitals in the capital city have seen a visible increase in the number of patients being brought to death, especially the elderly. The primary causes of these deaths, according to doctors, are heart attacks and strokes, which have become more prevalent in the colder months.
Dr. Imran Sarwar, Emergency In-charge at Civil Hospital, expressed concern over the alarming rise in viral infections during the change of season. “Emergency departments are now seeing an influx of patients suffering from cold, flu, cough, respiratory infections, pneumonia and other related illnesses,” he told The Express Pakinomist. “Patients with chronic respiratory conditions arrive in critical condition, some requiring immediate admission.”
Dr. Sarwar said that compared to last year, the number of patients seeking emergency care has increased noticeably. He attributed this increase to a general lack of awareness and caution among the public. Cases of stroke, which are also more common in winter, have seen a rise. He advised people to avoid cold showers and instead consume warm foods such as soups to help reduce the risk of stroke.
According to Dr. Sarwar sees between 1,000 and 2,000 patients visit the emergency room daily, of which about 10% are stroke patients. Most of them are either elderly, bedridden or suffering from uncontrolled diabetes.
Alarmingly, there has also been an increase in the number of elderly patients arriving at hospitals already dead or dying en route. Dr. Sarwar added that while flu patients recover from initial symptoms, they continue to experience prolonged coughs, sometimes lasting more than two months, raising concerns about underlying serious respiratory illnesses.
Dr. Sarwar further highlighted the dangers of incomplete treatment regimens, pointing out that many patients fail to complete their prescribed course of asthma medications or antibiotics. He warned against overuse of antibiotics and premature discontinuation of treatment, as this can lead to antibiotic resistance, complicating future treatments.
At the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Dr. Irfan Siddiqui, deputy head of the emergency department, a sharp increase in cases of “super flu” and chest infections after a recent drop in temperatures and rainfall. Since the onset of the common cold, cases of cough, phlegm and sore throat have increased by 15 to 20%. Dr. Siddiqui explained that the super flu, a severe form of flu, can affect the lungs and cause persistent symptoms that can last up to a month.
