With the state gearing up for peak Diwali celebrations tonight, the medical fraternity has moved into “war-room” mode to handle the inevitable influx of burn and blast injuries.
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PGIMS Rohtak Preparedness: * Extra Manpower: Over 100 additional residents and nursing staff have been put on “on-call” duty for the next 48 hours.
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Specialized Units: The Burns and Plastic Surgery ward has reserved 20 emergency beds, while the Ophthalmology department has set up a dedicated “Fast-Track” counter for eye injuries.
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Logistics: Additional patient trolleys and life-support equipment have been moved to the triage area of the Trauma Centre.
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PGI Chandigarh Strategy:
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Round-the-Clock Teams: PGI’s Advanced Eye Centre has activated a team of at least 10 specialists (Retina, Cornea, and Glaucoma) to be available on-site through the night.
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Burn ICU: The Plastic Surgery Department has placed its Burn ICU on high alert, with specific instructions to handle “Open Globe” injuries and finger amputations, which are common with ‘bullet bombs’.
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Previous Trends: In 2024, PGIMS Rohtak handled over 100 burn cases on Diwali night alone. This year, with the lifting of several post-pandemic restrictions, doctors fear the numbers could rise by 15-20%, despite the “Green Cracker” mandate.
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Coordination with Civil Hospitals: District-level hospitals in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ambala have been instructed to provide primary stabilization and only refer “Grade III” burns (over 30% area) or complex eye trauma to the PGI/PGIMS facilities to avoid clogging the tertiary centers.
Medical Advisory for Citizens:
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Immediate Action: If a burn occurs, pour clean, running water over the area for 10–15 minutes until the stinging stops.
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Avoid Home Remedies: Do NOT apply toothpaste, ink, or butter, as they trap heat and lead to deep-tissue infection.
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Eye Injuries: Do NOT rub the eye if a spark enters. Cover it with a clean paper cup or shield and rush to the nearest eye specialist.
