Ahead of Diwali, Haryana hospitals put on alert for emergency preparedness
Chandigarh: In a move to ensure emergency preparedness during Diwali, the Haryana government has placed government and private hospitals across the state on high alert, directing them to strengthen medical arrangements to deal with a possible surge in firecracker-related injuries, burn cases, eye injuries, and road accidents during the festival.
Health Minister Arti Singh Rao has issued an advisory, instructing hospitals to ensure adequate medical facilities, maintain sufficient stocks of essential medicines and supplies, and provide round-the-clock emergency services throughout the festive period.
As part of the preparedness measures, government hospitals have been directed to keep dedicated burn wards ready and reserve more than 20 beds for emergency cases. Additional beds will also be arranged in ophthalmology, orthopaedics and surgery departments to handle patients requiring specialised treatment.
The minister said specialists from these departments, along with eye and ENT doctors, must remain available on call to ensure prompt medical attention for patients requiring specialised treatment.
The advisory also mandates adequate stocks of bronchodilators, oxygen cylinders, burn treatment kits, IV fluids and antibiotics, besides sufficient stretchers, beds and IV stands, reports TOI.
In addition, trauma centres and intensive care units (ICUs) have been directed to reserve beds for critically injured patients who may require immediate medical intervention.
The government has also directed doctors, specialists and other healthcare staff not to leave their respective cities during the Diwali celebrations to ensure uninterrupted medical services. Private hospitals across Haryana have similarly been asked to keep specialists available and strengthen their emergency response systems.
The Health Department has asked hospital authorities to maintain coordination among emergency departments, specialist units, and intensive care facilities to ensure timely treatment. The minister said the government’s priority was to ensure that people celebrating Diwali could access medical assistance promptly in the event of an accident or medical emergency, reports UNI.
The state government's precautionary measures are intended to strengthen healthcare preparedness and ensure that hospitals remain fully equipped to respond to any untoward incident during the festival.
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