The Union Health Ministry has asked Delhi hospitals to be prepared to handle an increase in number of patients due to the alarming levels of air pollution in the city.
Close watch
In a release issued on Friday, Health Minister J. P. Nadda. directed officials and heads of all Central government hospitals to keep a close watch on the situation.
“All hospitals have been directed to take all measures to deal with the patient load due to air pollution. They have been directed to keep nebulizers and other related equipment in good condition and to be ready to meet with any exigency,” read the release.
Health experts said that the high levels of air pollution level may result in increase in cases of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and both chronic and acute respiratory disease, including asthma. In the short run, the high levels of pollution may result in increase in severity of symptoms of respiratory diseases.
