JOIN USCity prepares for Diwali, hospitals add more beds
City hospitals are working on to add more beds to their burn units to accommodate the maximum number of cases on Diwali.
The government has issued directives to the hospitals to promptly deal with cases reported even a day before and after Diwali. There are around 250 burn beds here which cater to patients from Delhi NCR. The two biggest units in the city are in Safdarjung Hospital and Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP).
Safdarjung Hospital has planned to reserve 20 beds exclusively to treat burn cases on Diwali day.
“In our full-fledged burn unit, 20 beds will be dedicated to deal with Diwali burn cases. Our full team will be there to promptly deal with patients brought to the casualty,” said Dr Rajpal, Medical Superintendent, Safdarjung Hospital.
In case the total burn unit is saturated, the hospital has also made arrangements so that patients can be at least accommodated on trolleys. “This is to ensure that they receive treatment. However, such a situation is not likely to arise,” said Dr Rajpal.
The hospital has also updated its stock on medicines, cotton, bandages and other essentials to treat burn cases so that it doesn’t grapple with any shortage of resources on Diwali day.
At Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, in addition to the existing 30 beds, the hospital is opening up 20 disaster beds a day before Diwali. Also, four more ventilators are being added to the regular burn unit so that severe burn cases can be treated.
“Ventilators are being added to turn more beds into intensive care units (ICU). This will help deal with severe burn injury cases,” said Dr H K Kar, Medical Superintendent, RML Hospital.
“The disaster beds will be able to handle the extra load of patients. Doctors and nurses in casualty will be alert. Our stocks on antibiotics and dressing materials have been refreshed,” Dr Kar added.
Last year, the hospital had seen around 70 cases. “Most of the patients had less than 10 per cent burns. People are more cautious now. There were few severe cases. Those with minor burns can be released after local dressing,” said Dr Kar.
The government has issued guidelines to the hospitals to add more ICU units, restock medicines and surgical equipment and for the staff to be alert before and after the Diwali day.
Meanwhile, LNJP Hospital has also briefed its full burn crew to deal with disaster cases on the day.
“Patients report to the casualty. From there the burn cases will be referred to the burn unit,” said Dr Siddharth Ramji, Medical Superintendent, LNJP.