Hospitals and Public Health Centres (PHCs) across the Capital City have been asked to stay alert during Diwali festivities and treat burn cases on a priority basis, officials from the District Administration said on Saturday. Some hospitals have also made a roster for doctors at the burn ward in order to ensure fast treatment for patients throughout the night.

Civil Surgeon, Dr. VB Prasad recently chaired a meeting with representatives of Government-run hospitals in the city and asked them to pay special attention to burn patients during Diwali. Sadar Hospital in Ranchi will remain open 24x7 for treating burn cases, he said. “We have asked all the Government hospitals to stay alert and provide quick treatment to burn patients,” added Prasad.

Every year, cases of burn injuries increase on Diwali, doctors from Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) said. The burn ward witnesses a 30 to 40 per cent increase in the number of patients from Dhanteras to the day after Diwali, said a junior doctor at the institute. “The emergency ward remains open as usual and burn patients are rushed to the burn ward,” he said.

Diwali also leads to increase in the symptoms of some patients suffering from respiratory disorders, doctors said. Unlike New Delhi, there is no restriction on bursting crackers in Jharkhand, which increases air pollution levels on Diwali. Many patients report shortness of breath on the night of Diwali and some are even rushed to hospitals, doctors say.

RIMS Superintendent, Dr. Vivek Kashyap said that all the medicines used for treating burn injuries have been stocked up at the hospital. Besides, the air conditioners and fans in the burn ward have also been tested in order to ensure smooth treatment of burn patients, he added. “We have issued a circular asking all doctors to stay alert. I would also request all Ranchi-ites to celebrate safe Diwali and stay away from such crackers that are more likely to cause burn injuries,” said Kashyap.

The standard medical procedure is to keep burn patients under a regulated temperature, preferably in an AC room with proper ventilation facility. Earlier several cases of treating burn patients on the floor were reported from RIMS. The hospital, however, has made arrangements for additional beds in order to accommodate all the patients in the burn ward this year.

Some private hospitals too witness an increase in the number of burn cases during Diwali and have prepared accordingly. Dev Kamal Hospital has a dedicated burn ward and is one of the few hospitals equipped with latest technology for treating moderate to severe burn injuries. The burn ward of the hospital will remain open on Diwali