Dust storm leads to respiratory problems

Sumeer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 14

Following dust storm that has engulfed the region in thick blanket of dust for the past three days, the Civil Hospital in Bathinda witnessed a sizeable increase in the number of patients with respiratory, skin and eye infection problems at outpatient department (OPD).

According to doctors at the government hospital, there has been an increase of patients with respiratory problems up to 20 per cent in the last three days. They added that patients with bronchial asthma, allergic bronchitis, allergic dermatitis, eczema, eye irritation/flu among others.

The doctors said that a majority of patients visiting the government hospital have difficulty in breathing as the city is wrapped in heavy dust. Apart from asthmatic patients, city residents are also coming up with problems of eye infection and skin allergies at the Civil Hospital.

Talking to The Tribune, Dr Ramesh Maheshwari MD medicine, OPD Civil Hospital said, “As air quality levels have fallen due to dusty environment, there has been an increase of upto 20 percent in number of patients visiting us with respiratory diseases. Majority of the patients are asthmatic apart from those visiting us with eye and skin infections/allergies. The patients with respiratory diseases are required to stay indoors as much as they can.”

A patient of asthma Gursharan Kaur, said, “Owing to dusty environment, I am not able to move outside my house for past three days. It is really difficult to breathe and despite staying indoors, I have to come to the hospital. All our articles and clothes are also filled with dust particles.”

Dr Ravi Kant Gupta, paediatrician at the Women and Child Hospital, said, “There has been a significant increase in number of children visiting the paediatrics OPD with respiratory, skin and eye infections in past three days. With dust storm the air quality index of city has gone down and children with low immunity level are getting affected with respiratory diseases often. There is an increase of 20 percent patients with respiratory and skin problems in past three days.”

Dr Gupta added, “Minimal exposure to the dusty environment can prevent children from getting sick. Children must avoid venturing out in such conditions. But even if they want to step outside then wearing a nasal mask and goggles are recommended for children. If possible, use of air-purifiers inside homes can also minimize the impact of dusty atmosphere.”