Islamabad: Once again, severe allergy caused by the dreaded paper mulberry trees is affecting sufferers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Ironically, the problem is worsening with every passing year. The mushrooming of residential colonies, for which large areas of local vegetation are cleared, never to be replaced with any other plant, is just one contributing factor. Paper mulberry habitation, which did not cross the area beyond Islamabad Airport in the last half a decade or more, has resultantly extended as far southwards as Rawat, much to the detriment of a larger segment of the population affected by the pollen allergy predicament.

‘The News’ interacted with internationally acclaimed allergy specialist Dr. Osman Yusuf here Friday for insights on why there appears no plausible end to the rising problem of pollen allergy in Islamabad.

Referring to the mushrooming of new housing colonies, Dr. Osman reflected on how the virgin land that is cleared of vegetation is rapidly colonised by the fast growing, invasive paper mulberry plant. He complimented Bahria Town for ensuring that no area within their land is left barren. “Since there are almost no paper mulberry trees inside Bahria Town, there are very few sufferers in that area, proving that the absence of trees means less illness. However, localities surrounding Bahria Town are infested with paper mulberry trees, and as such, the number of patients from these areas is also very high,” Dr. Osman stated.

The allergy expert also criticized the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for its “inexcusable apathy.” He recollected that back in 2009, “the Islamabad High Court had ordered CDA to remove all the offending paper mulberry trees within three years, but even after 2012, the CDA did not comply and went into contempt of court.” A concerned Citizens Action Committee Against Pollen Allergy, headed by Taha Masood and Mrs M Javed, with the support of notable lawyers like Mr. Yousaf and Dr. Osman himself, approached the Federal Ombudsman to flag CDA’s non-compliance. After hearings with the complainant and the CDA, the Ombudsman ordered CDA to comply, but once again, there was no response on part of the civic authority.

Poor planning vis-à-vis the scheduling of the free pollen allergy camp annually organized by the Chief Commissioner’s office was quoted by Dr. Osman as another reason for ineffectual control of the allergy problem. “There have been years when the camp would commence after the pollen allergy season! This year, the recently appointed dynamic Chief Commissioner of Islamabad has ordered for the annual Free Pollen Allergy Camp to last till March 30. Frequent changes in the post of the Chief Commissioner, and poor interest at the level of the DHO may be a reason for poor planning of the camp, which should ideally commence from the end of February or early March so that patients can be treated right at the outset of the season before their asthma has developed fully,” he flagged.

Commenting further, Dr. Osman praised the Islamabad Capital Territory administration for demonstrating the will to help people. “Unfortunately, however, there are many elements in Islamabad—mostly from the medical community—who have no knowledge about the true impact or remedies of pollen allergy and asthma, and yet they feel no inhibition when offering advice based on limited knowledge.” He expressed surprise over how one pulmonologist invited to attend the meeting recently hosted by the Chief Commissioner totally denied that there have ever been any deaths due to paper mulberry pollen; he also denied that pollen asthma could kill a person as rapidly as within 30 minutes. “Such people misguide health planners as they have no real knowledge of the issue, and hence cannot provide proper technical support,” he regretted.

Asked what future measures could be taken to reduce the impact of pollen, Dr. Osman said, the Supreme Court of Pakistan may be the last resort for trying to move the apathetic government departments, unless the citizens themselves act on a self-help basis. He cited the example of some retired army officers who took it upon themselves to remove the mulberry trees from Ayub Park, making the park a healthy pollen-free area.