Pune doctors give ‘clean’ chit to Diwali this year

Finally, there’s proof that the numerous awareness campaigns run by doctors, advising people to avoid firecracker injuries, isn’t falling on deaf ears.

If information shared by a few top hospitals in the city is any indicator, then people have become alert towards injuries by firecrackers. This is evident by the dwindling number of cases reported this year.

At Ruby Hall Clinic, Jehangir Hospital and Poona Hospital, authorities confirmed that there weren’t any major burns or injuries reported.

“No major case was reported here. It is good news that people were alert to injuries and safety precautions,” said Dr Sujata Mallik, medical director at Ruby Hall Clinic.

At Sassoon General Hospital, barring a few minor cases of burns, the hospital didn’t have to deal with any emergency related to firecrackers, confirmed plastic surgeon and head of the burns department, Dr Parag Sahastrabuddhe.

“This year, we had taken special efforts and made pamphlets in both English and Marathi about safety from firecracker injuries. We printed 35,000 pamphlets with the help of a pharmaceutical company and gave it to firecracker sellers, instructing them to give one to every buyer. Many such efforts are going on across the city to raise awareness and we are happy to say that these efforts are paying off. This year, no major burns cases were reported,” he said.

ENT specialist, Dr Seemab Shaikh, confirmed that compared to the cases of hearing problems and even breathing difficulties that he saw every year during Diwali, the cases reported this year were few.

“Usually we are reporting an upward trend. This year is a pleasant surprise. I got some patients, but they were mostly people passing by when and a ‘bomb’ was burst. I haven’t seen a single serious case of loss of hearing or throat infection,” said Shaikh.

Dr Jeevan Ladi, president of Pune Eye Surgeons’ Society, confirmed that no major cases of eye injuries were reported to him this year. He said, “In general, awareness level is better. We haven’t heard of any major cases being reported. Most people seem educated about what to do in case of emergencies too.”