New Delhi: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has revealed that post festival celebrations, patients with respiratory complications have increased by five folds in the emergency wards. With the rising air pollution, AIIMS has revelaed that most of the emergency cases include children, pregnant women, elderly and patients with pre-existing diseases.
Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS said that present air quality is equivalent to inhaling the smoke of at least 50 cigarettes a day and is very dangerous for children. As Delhi is fighting with air pollution, the common citizens have come to their knees trying to keep themselves healthy. Amongst them are the homeless and the labour class, most of whom have to stay outside and work in dust and pollution every moment.
With authorities declaring the situation a "public emergency" stepping out has become difficult for the common citizen. Ram Kumar, who pulls rickshaw from 8 am till 11 p.m. said it is getting difficult for him to work, but has no other choice. "Poor people have to work, and it's not just me, everyone is struggling with this," he told the reporter.
Children are the worst to be affected when it comes to air pollution. "Children, adults and patients, these three categories of people suffer the most when it comes to air pollution," said Dr Himanshu Garg, Head of Department, Pulmonologist at Pratiksha Hospital.
"What will happen to our children? They have shut the schools for now, I am scared to let my kid venture out even after that," said a concerned parent.
Various doctors have mentioned that there has been an increase in the number of patients at their clinics. "I have received double the number of people than I usually do since the condition has faltered," said a doctor based in Gurgaon.
Dr Garg also mentioned that numerous patients have complained of burning eyes, chest and cough post Diwali. Various patients had to be also rushed to the ICU. As of now state and central authorities have taken numerous actions to tackle the situation. Schools have been declared shut till November 5, while all construction work has also been banned till the same date.