The Hindu : New Delhi News : All major hospitals in the Capital put on stand-by for Diwali

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Saturday, Oct 21, 2006
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New Delhi

All major hospitals in the Capital put on stand-by for Diwali

Staff Reporter

`We are fully prepared to take in a large number of patients'

NEW DELHI: While the Capital is still trying to cope with the dengue outbreak, Delhi hospitals claim that they are geared up to deal with any Diwali casualty with extra beds, staff and additional medicine stocks.

All the major hospitals in the city including Safdurjung, Ram Manohar Lohia and LNJP have been put on stand-by to cope with any major accident or incident in the city or nearby areas.

"Though as a matter of routine we are on high alert during Diwali every year, especially for burns and other related injuries, in view of the terrorist attacks last year around this time we are prepared now to take in a large number of patients. We have been directed to put in place all medical facilities to cater to burn injuries. Medical facility will be available round-the-clock during the Diwali period. Besides, it is also being ensured that there is enough dressing material, medicine, oxygen and fluid to meet any eventuality,'' said a senior physician at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Friday.

Meanwhile, doctors have issued a general warning for the public stating that Diwali is "high risk time" especially for children and people with asthma, diabetes, heart ailments and high blood pressure.

"Around this time, besides burn patients we also see a lot of eye injury cases. We recommend some basic precautions to be followed including no electric lights to be tied to any metal poles, store fireworks safely in a cool and dry place, while bursting crackers keep a bucket full of water handy for any emergency and never try to re-ignite the fireworks that don't light in the first instance. Also we recommend that children be never allowed to burst crackers without adult supervision and children should not be allowed to throw crackers at people.

Also in case an accident occurs, immediately after administering first aid, take the patient to the hospital,'' said Delhi Medical Council member Anil Bansal.

Physicians added that most mishaps due to fireworks occur as a result of carelessness, negligence and ignorance and simple precautions can help avert these accidents.

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