In a decisive move to curb the spread of conjunctivitis, commonly known as "pink eye," the Punjab (Pakistan's most populous province) government has declared a four-day closure of all educational institutions across the province. This decision, which spans from September 28 to October 1, comes in the wake of a significant rise in cases of the eye infection, particularly among school-going children.
Conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the transparent membrane lining the eyelid and eyeball, has seen a rapid surge in Punjab. State-run hospitals across the province have reported between 500-600 patients daily, with the highest number of infections emerging from Lahore. The infection, which affects people of all age groups, has been particularly prevalent among school children. Reports suggest that many students have not been adhering to precautions at school, leading to a faster spread of the virus. In response, some school administrations have been allowing infected students to stay home and have been advising parents to take special care of their children.
The decision to close schools was further cemented after caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi's visit to a government school in Lahore. During his visit, Naqvi expressed concern over the presence of students affected by conjunctivitis and immediately summoned the secretary of schools. Following this, an official notification was issued, emphasizing that all public and private schools in Punjab would remain closed for the specified period. The notification also stated that schools would reopen on Monday, October 2, and would strictly adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent further spread of the infection. These SOPs include eye inspections for students at the entrances of educational institutions.
The interim chief minister highlighted the rapid spread of conjunctivitis in schools, noting that six to seven children in each class were found to be affected by the infection. He stressed the importance of implementing SOPs rigorously from Monday in all educational institutions across the province.
Medical experts have pointed out that conjunctivitis is spreading swiftly in densely populated areas, especially in environments like factories, bazaars, markets, and shopping plazas. The condition, caused by infections or allergies, usually resolves within a couple of weeks without treatment. However, its rapid spread has raised alarms, prompting the government's proactive response.
As Punjab grapples with this health challenge, the focus remains on safeguarding the well-being of its young population and ensuring that the educational environment remains safe and conducive to learning.
