A colder-than-normal winter has caused more than its general share of health problems in the industrial district of Jharsuguda this year. This has resulted in a rise in the number of patients suffering from cardiac problems, respiratory tract infections, pneumonia and asthma at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH).
Sources said that the hospital has recorded nearly 15 per cent increase in patients suffering from asthma, breathing complications, cough and respiratory tract infection. These patients are more susceptible to asthmatic attacks with a history of breathing problem. The average monthly registration of indoor patients stands at nearly 1500.
With large number of coal-laden heavy vehicles commuting on roads, air pollution level has also increased. Smoke, dust particles and noxious fumes emitted by factories and heavy vehicles have virtually choked the air. It causes more sneezing and coughing problems to patients suffering from mild and acute asthma, doctor PK Patel said. CDMO Dr Damayanti Sahoo said that the rush of asthma patients, especially children and elderly people has increased at the hospital. On Sunday the minimum temperature in Jharsuguda was recorded at 8.4 degree Celsius while on Sunday it was 7.8 degrees.