ISLAMABAD -The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) allergy camps in Islamabad are providing treatment to over 100 patients on daily basis and so far 1200 patients have got free treatment besides awareness on seasonal pollen allergies. The PRCS is the first one to establish pollen such facility regarding pollen allergy campaign and also pioneer of starting such facility in capital. These centres are working under qualified staff and a large number of volunteers are participating in this campaign and going around public places as well as in institutions on regular basis. The camps are operational on all working days and will continue functioning till end of April 2009. PRCS Director Health and Training Dr Azha Halim said that we are striving to promote awareness about Pollen Allergy in Islamabad, which is the worst effected city in this regard. Volunteers of PRCS are not only distributing comprehensive literature with an objective of encouraging people to take preventive measures against Pollen Allergies but providing free treatment to the effected population in the worst effected areas of Islamabad i.e. Sectors G-7/4, and G-11/1. He said free medical consultation and medicines are being given through our experienced doctors and lady health visitors. Dr Azhar said that Islamabad and its adjacent areas is facing an alarming rise in the spread of pollen allergy which causes cough, asthma, skin and other related diseases. With the onset of spring season, the number of allergy patients increases day by day throughout Capital. "The main reason behind its spread is increasing pollution in the environment and the pollen grains. For the last three years, there has been persistence of symptoms through summer because rather than shedding its pollens from mid-March to mid-April, paper mulberry, the pollens of which are scientifically proven to be the sole cause of life-threatening respiratory allergies and asthmatic attacks, now flowers until July, thereby prolonging the agony of patients beyond spring," he added. He said the PRCS is planning to place Nebulizers in the facilities to provide emergency care to the patients with Asthma. PRCS health team after a discussion with Government health Department will also consider placement of Nebulizers in other than the proposed two areas to maximize the benefit to the local community and to increase visibility of the organisation. He said health educators will also train some PRCS volunteer's who will distribute the pamphlets and brochures of pollen allergy and arrange focus groups to conduct community sessions for prophylaxis against pollen allergy.