The air quality in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region has deteriorated to dangerous levels, severely impacting public health. The intensity of air pollution has reached a point where people's lungs are facing direct and aggressive damage. Because of this alarming situation, over the past week, patient numbers in the outpatient departments of all government hospitals across Delhi have doubled. Every day, a massive influx of individuals is reaching healthcare facilities complaining of breathing difficulties and lung infections, leaving medical professionals deeply concerned.
The most alarming aspect of this crisis is that within a span of just three to four days this week, patients who never had any prior history of respiratory illnesses suffered such severe lung damage due to this pollution that they had to seek emergency medical treatment. Among them, two patients had to be rushed directly from the emergency ward into the intensive care unit. Dr. Nikhil Modi, a renowned senior consultant in respiratory, critical care, and sleep medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, shared insights on the situation, noting that the continuous rise in pollution is driving up patient numbers in OPDs relentlessly.
Dr. Nikhil Modi explained that due to the toxic air, individuals are not only visiting OPDs with lung infections, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, but are also flooding emergency wards during the night hours. Recalling recent cases, he mentioned patients who arrived at the emergency department at night struggling to breathe, with their blood oxygen levels dropping critically low. The condition of two such patients necessitated immediate admission to the ICU.
Experts point out that whenever pollution spikes annually, these medical cases surge correspondingly, causing OPD volumes to double while emergency admissions rise. Therefore, it is vital for citizens to avoid any form of negligence. Particularly, senior citizens, children, and pregnant women need to exercise extreme caution regarding their health. People should step outside only when absolutely necessary and must never make the mistake of leaving home without a proper mask.
Detailing the physical symptoms triggered by the toxic air, Dr. Nikhil Modi stated that individuals are experiencing breathing complications, persistent sneezing, runny noses, eye and nasal irritation, and a recurring sensation of something being stuck in the throat. To counter this, people must first avoid going outdoors into the smog, and if going out is unavoidable, wearing a mask is non-negotiable. An N95 mask remains the best choice for protection.
He further elaborated that an N95 mask is designed to filter out up to 95 percent of harmful particulate matter present in polluted air. Additionally, installing an air purifier indoors is recommended. For immediate relief from a sore throat, pain, or inflammation, gargling with warm salt water serves as a simple and effective home remedy. Nebulizers should be used if needed, but strictly under medical supervision and never without a doctor's advice.
