Hospitals see 30% rise in patient footfall as Lucknow gasps for good air

Vivek Singh Chauhan / TNN / Nov 4, 2019, 06:35 IST

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For five days Munshipulia resident Suresh Kumar suffered from breathlessness and chest tightness. It was only after he visited a pulmonologist that the 36-year-old realised that smog was the culprit.

Hospitals see 30% rise in patient footfall as Lucknow gasps for good air

Representative image for pollution

LUCKNOW: For five days Munshipulia resident Suresh Kumar suffered from breathlessness and chest tightness. It was only after he visited a pulmonologist that the 36-year-old realised that smog was the culprit.
“I don’t smoke and never had these problems before. Hence, I was confused. The doctor said pollutants in the air that I inhale on my way to work were to blame.

He advised me to wear a mask or take a few days off,” the private company employee told TOI.

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The anti-pollution measures announced by the administration — ban on burning garbage in the open, suspension of construction activities and sprinkling of water on dusty roads — should ideally have been launched right after Diwali when pollution levels started rising. In its reality check, TOI found that these measures are often not enforced strictly. After announcing such measures, the administration should ensure that they are implemented strictly. The government should collect feedback from the public and take lax officials to task.

Kumar is not the only victim of the city’s deteriorating air quality. Hospital OPDs are swamped with people complaining of allergies, skin and eye irritation, breathing distress, chest congestion and cough. Those with underlying conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiac ailments are worst sufferers.

_{For five days Munshipulia resident Suresh Kumar suffered from breathlessness and chest tightness.}
Doctors at KGMU maintained that the number of patients with respiratory problems had jumped 30% in a week. “If we were attending to 250 daily seven days ago, the number is now 325 a day,” said head of respiratory medicine professor Suryakant.
The cardiology wing of KGMU is also seeing more patients — 280 a day against 250 earlier. “These are mostly people with weak heart who have acquired respiratory complications,” said associate professor (cardiology) Askhay Pradhan.

The patient footfall has similarly gone up at SPM Civil Hospital and Balrampur hospital. Many are complaining of skin rashes and throat infection. A week ago, Indira Gandhi Eye Hospital witnessed 80 patients a day with dry eyes and conjunctivitis. Today, the headcount is higher by 25%.
The poison in the air is affecting people irrespective of age. Fourth grader Raj Khare, who has asthma, is experiencing rapid breathing, and chest and neck tightness at least thrice a week. The nine-year-old from Talkatora puts his inhaler into his school bag before books. “We have requested the principal to allow him to skip the morning assembly. Despite wearing a mask, he feels uncomfortable,” mother Anupama said.
On Friday, 35-year-old Rubina Khan had to be hospitalised. “I have chronic bronchitis, but the bad air triggered an attack while I was shopping with my daughter,” she said. “Doctors have told us not to allow her outdoors till air quality improves,” said husband Istiyaq Khan.
Madiaon resident Ajay Singh had a heart surgery six months ago. “I am working from home because the air outside makes my heart pound faster,” said the 26-year-old employee of a networking company in Aliganj.
Anchal of Dubagga, a teacher at a private school who is five months pregnant, said she had been advised to wear a mask. “Pollutants in the air can affect the growth and mental development of my baby.”

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