The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has asked Delhi students to ‘stake claim’ to their right to breath clean air and has urged them to wear black mask/handkerchief on November 13 during their school’s morning assembly.
Devastating effect
IMA president Dr. K. K. Aggarwal said: “Delhi’s air quality is currently in the ‘severe’ category and this has a devastating effect on our children’s development and health. On Children’s Day [November 14], the IMA will support their fight against air pollution through the Clean Air movement”.
The association has also asked all doctors across the National Capital Region to go to one school each and address the assembly about air pollution and its hazards.
Cracker ban
“Despite the ban on crackers this Diwali, the air quality index has deteriorated to an extent that the air itself has become a public health hazard,” said Dr. Rajesh Chawla, senior consultant, critical care, pulmonary and sleep disorders, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
Immediate steps
Doctors in the city have advised residents to avoid stepping out or doing outdoor activities during the early morning and evening hours.
AIIMS director Dr. Randeep Guleria, a pulmonologist, said: “Immediate steps need to be taken to ensure that people stay safe. The elderly, children and patients with respiratory and cardiac problems must avoid strenuous activity early in the morning or late in the evening.”
Doctors added that masks available in the market may not be enough to keep pollutants from getting into lungs.