Air woes: Delhi hospitals see 50% jump in OPD visits, admissions

Hospitals are witnessing a 40-50 per cent surge in patient visits due to respiratory illnesses, including symptoms of bronchitis and breathlessness, with major cities recording a severe jump in air pollution levels in the last 20 days.

- SANKET KOUI. & ANJALI SINGH

Mayank Saxena, additional director, pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Noida, said he has seen a nearly SO per cent increase in the number of outpatient department (OPD) visits and admissions compared to previous months. Several North Indian cities, on Tuesday, recorded an air quality index (AQI) exceeding 350, considered to be very poor, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data updated till 4 pm. While Delhi recorded an AQI of 460, adjoining cities of Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Noida also crossed 350. Prolonged exposure to this can lead to respiratory illness. "On Tuesday, I saw around 21 patients till 3 pm already, while my average OPD used to be around 910 patients. This is a SO per cent increase," said Kuldeep Kumar Grover, consultant, pulmonology at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.