City hospitals brace for rush of burns patients

Most hospitals in the city, government and private, have made special emergency care arrangements to deal with burns cases. Rhythma Kaul reports.

When most of us are enjoying Diwali festivities, there are a number of doctors, nurses and paramedics on duty around the clock to provide medical care to those injured while bursting crackers.

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"Cracker burst injuries are the most common burn injuries that we see during Diwali. The rush is immense all through the festive week as cases also keep pouring in a few days after the festival," said a senior doctor at New Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital that has the largest burns unit in the country.

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The hospital has a special out patient department running around the clock, two days prior and two days after Diwali, especially for burns victims.

The hospital tries to keep most of its beds vacant to stay prepared for any emergency situation.

New Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital's burns unit also remains extra busy during Diwali, with a significant number of burns cases owing to firecrackers.

"The maximum rush of burns victims is on the day of Diwali, but we have been getting cracker burst cases since the past few days. Burns victims run the risk of contracting infection very easily that is why we have to be extra careful with them," said a doctor in the burns unit of the hospital.

Most hospitals in the city, government and private both, have special emergency care arrangements made to handle burns victims during this festive season when burns cases flow in large numbers.

Doctors advise people to be cautious while bursting crackers, and as far as possible stay away from them as it causes air and noise pollution apart from posing serious health threat.

They say that people should rely on expert help rather than trying do-it-yourself remedies.