In the bustling pediatric emergency ward of a public hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, anxious parents cradle their ailing children, seeking treatment amid a surge in young patients fueled by the ongoing air pollution crisis in the country's second-largest city.

Parents like Mohamad Qadeer express deep concern as they watch their children undergo treatments to alleviate respiratory distress caused by the hazardous air quality. Dr. Maria Iftikhar from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital's pediatric department notes a worsening situation, attributing it to a significant increase in air pollution compared to previous years.

With the onset of cooler temperatures in November, air quality in the city rapidly deteriorated. Over the last month, Swiss group IQAir reported that 24 out of 30 days experienced 'hazardous' or 'very unhealthy' air quality levels. Lahore, home to 11 million people and regarded as the cultural capital of Pakistan, finds itself enveloped in a thick haze, hindering visibility and exacerbating health issues, especially in children.

Dr. Iftikhar explains that the problem intensifies during cooler months due to temperature inversion, trapping pollutants close to the ground. Parents like Mohamad and his wife, Shazma, attempted to protect their children with masks and limited outdoor exposure, but their efforts proved insufficient. The worsening conditions led to sleepless nights and deteriorating health for their children.

Children, in particular, bear the brunt of the crisis, as UNICEF emphasizes their physiological vulnerability to air pollution. Globally, outdoor air pollution claimed the lives of 154,000 children under five in 2019, and in Pakistan, it ranks among the top five causes of death for all age groups.

Shazia, a concerned mother, urges the government to take decisive action, emphasizing the suffering of small children. Provincial health minister Dr. Javed Akram acknowledges the severity of the situation, highlighting the strain on pediatric hospitals overwhelmed by respiratory issues.

Efforts to address the crisis include partial lockdowns, mask promotion campaigns, and exploring unconventional measures like cloud-seeding to induce rain and clear the skies. Crop burning, a major contributor to pollution, poses challenges as it supports essential agricultural practices. The provincial government seeks international collaboration, reaching out to India and consulting with experts in China to find comprehensive solutions.

As the pediatric emergency rooms grapple with an increasing number of cases, the urgency for evidence-based approaches to mitigate the impact on Lahore's most vulnerable, its children, remains a priority for health authorities.