Chandigarh, November 4:- Haryana Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao has issued a special advisory directing hospitals across the state to remain on alert and strengthen emergency preparedness during the Diwali festival. In view of the possibility of an increase in burn injuries and respiratory problems caused by firecrackers and other accidents during the festive period, she has directed all government and private hospitals to keep separate burn wards ready.
Hospitals have also been instructed to ensure advance availability of essential medicines and medical supplies in adequate quantities at emergency centres, including bronchodilators, oxygen cylinders and burn treatment kits.
To ensure immediate treatment for people injured in fireworks-related incidents or other accidents, directions have been issued to reserve more than 20 beds in all government hospitals. On Diwali, incidents of road accidents, burns and eye injuries generally increase compared to normal days. Keeping this in view, beds will also be reserved in the ophthalmology, orthopaedics and surgery departments, in addition to emergency departments.
The Health Minister directed that specialists in ophthalmology, orthopaedics and surgery should remain on alert and on-call duty so that victims can receive prompt and effective treatment.
Orders have been issued for specialists from both government and private sectors to remain available to deal with any emergency on Diwali. In addition, hospitals have been asked to ensure easy availability of an adequate number of stretchers, beds, IV stands, IV solutions and antibiotics for burn patients.
During the Diwali festival, medical staff and specialists will not be permitted to leave the city, and teams of ophthalmology and ENT specialists will remain available in hospitals. Special beds will also be reserved in hospital trauma centres and ICUs to ensure immediate care for critical cases.
