Ghaziabad directs hospitals to keep burn units operational ahead of Diwali

Ghaziabad: All district hospitals and community health centres (CHCs) in Ghaziabad have been directed to keep their burn units functional, reserve beds, and ensure round-the-clock emergency services ahead of Diwali to handle a possible surge in firecracker-related injuries. 

According to news reports, in a directive issued to chief medical superintendents, medical superintendents, and medical officers in charge, the health department has instructed healthcare facilities to provide immediate treatment for patients with burn injuries, eye damage, and other festival-related emergencies, without unnecessary referrals to other hospitals.

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The order specifically directs all district hospitals and CHCs to ensure the availability of ophthalmologists to treat patients suffering from firecracker-related eye injuries. In healthcare facilities where ophthalmologists are unavailable, hospitals have been asked to arrange for optometrists to provide the necessary assistance.

The health department has also instructed hospitals to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the ALS 108 ambulance service to facilitate the timely transportation of patients requiring emergency medical attention.

“Post Diwali, there’s a surge in burn cases every year. Hospitals have also been instructed to ensure that their burn units remain fully operational, and beds are reserved for emergency cases,” said Sachin Vaish, chief medical officer, Ghaziabad, reports TOI.

The instructions are aimed at ensuring that medical facilities can respond promptly to firecracker-related accidents and other emergencies during the festive period.

The health department has also directed hospitals to maintain adequate stocks of essential and life-saving medicines to deal with a possible increase in emergency cases.

In addition, healthcare facilities have been asked to ensure that firefighting equipment remains functional and hospital premises are kept clean and hygienic.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in a major move to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has decided to hand over the operation of four major government hospitals to private partners for a period of 30 years under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

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