73 land in hospital on Holi

GURUGRAM: At least 73 patients were brought into the emergency ward of General Hospital on Holi. The health department received around 120 calls of people who had suffered injuries during the festivities. Luckily, there were no major incidents and all patients had suffered minor injuries.
In comparison, around 150 patients visited the emergency ward of General Hospital in Civil Lines in 2017. Out of these, 11 patients had to be hospitalised. Most patients were injured in minor accidents, while, there were cases of colours into eyes and ears.

Hospital staff said that most of the patients who had been brought in were part of Holi hooliganism. They were injured in arguments while playing Holi or had a fall from their 2-wheeler vehicles while driving down the road.

Considering that there were no major injuries, all patients were treated at the General Hospital and none were referred to bigger hospital.

Out of 73 patients, 28 patients were accident victims. These were either inebriated or were driving too fast on their 2-wheelers when they had a fall.

Another 30 people, were bruised in scuffles while playing Holi. They were injured in trying to avoid being coloured or forcefully applying colour on someone.

Around 15 people were hospitalised too, as their injuries needed more attention. These included patients whose vital organs like eyes and ears had come in contact with the colour, skin infection and those who fell ill due to food poisoning.

The doctors also attended around 120 phone calls answering queries by panicked patients.

The health department was already on alert to deal with any emergency situation. Two junior doctors from each health wing were on duty on Friday. ENT, eye doctors and dermatologist were assigned longer shifts, to ensure no patients have to wait longer or go unattended.

Notably, usually only one doctor from each specialty is posted on such days, however, this time the doctors had clear instructions to attend every emergency patient. Only those with extremely critical condition were to be referred.