Chandigarh: 80 cases of eye injury, burns reported at Sector 16 hospital, 21 in PGI

Major hospitals of the city saw a total of 129 cases of eye injuries and burns related to firecrackers on the night of Diwali. The number of cases has significantly dropped from last year when 177 cases were reported. In 2022, 179 cases were received.

As many as 53 burns and 27 eye injury patients were treated at the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, on Diwali night. Of these, three patients were referred to the PGI.

The Civil Hospital, Sector 22, saw only 12 cases of burns, while the Sector 45 hospital admitted 39 patients with burns and three with eye injuries. A total of 24 burns and four eye injury cases were reported at the Mani Majra Civil Hospital.

At the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, 20 patients with burns and eight with eye injuries arrived. One patient was referred to the PGI and the rest were discharged after first-aid. Two eye injury patients are still admitted to the GMCH-32.

In anticipation of Diwali-related injuries, the Advanced Eye Centre of the PGI had activated special emergency protocols, ensuring immediate treatment for firecracker injury cases from October 30 to November 2. The centre, with round-the-clock shifts of doctors, nurses, and allied personnel, managed 21 cases of eye injuries. Of these patients, five were women and 12 children aged 14 of below, the youngest being 3-year-old gild. Eight patients were from Chandigarh and the remaining 13 from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, UP and Rajasthan.

Twelve patients suffered burns as they observed fireworks and nine were bursting crackers when they got injured. Six patients underwent surgery. At the Trauma Centre, PGI, 5 burns cases were received. Among them was an 18-month-old boy who had suffered 30% burns and a 16-year-old girl who sustained 55% burns. Both have been admitted to the ICU.

According to a PGI spokesperson, firecrackers that caused injuries were “tilli” bomb, “putli” bomb, “sky shot”, “bicchu”, “murga chap”, “anaar”, “aloo” bomb and sparkles. The doctors collectively attributed this significant drop in injuries due to firecrackers around Diwali to increasing awareness among the public. Furthermore, the green-firecrackers, which do not have harmful barium salts, are much safer than the traditional ones, which is a good action on part of the government to control firecracker-related injuries.

Drop in count due to increasing awareness

According to a PGI spokesperson, firecrackers that caused injuries were “tilli” bomb, “putli” bomb, “sky shot”, “bicchu”, “murga chap”, “anaar”, “aloo” bomb and sparkles. The doctors collectively attributed this significant drop in injuries due to firecrackers around Diwali to increasing awareness among the public.