HERAT, Jan 29 (Afghanistan Women’s News Agency) – Reports from the Herat Regional Hospital suggest a significant surge in the number of patients seeking treatment for respiratory illnesses, with a recorded increase of 25% in the past month alone. According to the officials, the clinic has been attending to over 300 patients daily, with women […]
HERAT, Jan 29 (Afghanistan Women’s News Agency) – Reports from the Herat Regional Hospital suggest a significant surge in the number of patients seeking treatment for respiratory illnesses, with a recorded increase of 25% in the past month alone. According to the officials, the clinic has been attending to over 300 patients daily, with women and children being the most affected.
Some residents of Herat attribute the rise in respiratory illnesses to the winter season and the increased air pollution caused by fuel smoke.
One patient, Marzia, complained of respiratory issues and expressed difficulty in keeping her home warm, resorting to burning paper and plastic for heat, which worsened her respiratory distress. Dr. Dawoud Hashemi, in charge of the general internal medicine department at the Herat clinic, attributes the increase in respiratory patients to air pollution, cigarette smoking, hookah use, and communal living.
Respiratory diseases due to cold and air pollution are among the most common illnesses in Afghanistan, challenging many individuals, especially women and children, every year.
Sahar, another patient, has developed respiratory problems due to pollution and cold weather. She states, “Our neighbors all light up wood or coal stoves, and we are greatly distressed by the smoke. Since the weather has turned cold, the air pollution in our area has increased more than before. I had a cold a few months ago, but due to lack of resources and our cold homes, I couldn’t receive proper treatment. I became more sensitive to smoke and air pollution, to the point where I experienced shortness of breath.”
This comes as the World Health Organization recently stated that with the arrival of winter, acute respiratory infections (ARI) have increased in all parts of Afghanistan, with one million three hundred ten thousand three hundred fifty-nine cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) recorded nationwide.
Respiratory diseases in winter include respiratory infections such as influenza, colds, bronchitis, as well as more severe respiratory infections such as respiratory failure and lung infections like upper and lower respiratory infections.
These diseases are very common in the winter season due to the decrease in temperature, increased social contact, and reduced humidity levels. Additionally, in the cold and dry winter season, the likelihood of contracting respiratory diseases is higher without the use of warm and appropriate clothing.
