Severe burn injury patients throng hospitals

Despite the Supreme Court's ban on the sale of firecrackers in Delhi, many Delhiites still managed to burst crackers. Hospitals across the city reported severe burn injuries, of which the maximum were Diwali-related burns. All Delhi hospitals ran round-the-clock emergencies for the Diwali related admissions and Out-Patient Departments (OPDs).

Safdarjung Hospital, which has a big burn-ward, received a total of 77 burn patients between 6 pm on October 19 and 6 am on October 20. Of these, 55 were Diwali-related burns, of which 50 were treated in the OPD and the remaining five had to be admitted due to several severe burns.

At Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, total 29 burn cases were received of which ten were children.

"We received total 29 cases in our burn ward, of which there were 10 children and 19 adults. There were total 23 males and 6 females. One patient was admitted with 28 per cent burns. Of the 29, 12 were eye burns," says Smriti Tiwari, spokesperson at RML.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital received total 15 burn cases, which is higher than the last year's figures.

"Looks like the cracker ban did not have the desired effect among Delhiites. The casualty ward at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital was busy during the night. SGRH received 15 cases of burn injuries during the night out of which ten were adults and five children. Two patients with severe burn injuries were operated and rest were discharged. Four patients with breathing difficulties also came to the casualty ward," said a source from the hospital.

Apart from burns, the air quality also affected the lungs and hearts of many with a 15 per cent rise in the number of patients visiting AIIMS due to cardio-pulmonary problems.

Doctors at various hospitals said that the ban on the sale of crackers did lower the number of cases as compared to last year, but there is still a lot that can be achieved.