Bhopal: Amid a cold wave sweeping across the state the out patients departments (OPD) of hospitals have been struggling to deal with a surging number of patients particularly children and elderly people suffering from cold-related diseases particularly respiratory problems. CMHO Dr NU Khan said, “Maximum respiratory problems cases are on rise. All age groups including children, elderly persons attract respiratory problems.
Even these problems exaggerate during biting cold. My advise for them to take preventive care (protect themselves) in the cold wave like condition which is prevailing in the entire state. ” Children reporting for the checkups are mostly suffering from cold, cough, throat infections, respiratory infections and pneumonia while elderly people are coming to hospital with complaints of asthma, bronchitis, acute respiratory infections and other ailments caused by biting colds.
The elderly people were also found in increased numbers at the respiratory departments. Most of the kids were brought to the outdoor departments with complications related to cold. An increased number of kids are contracting pneumonia and bronchiolitis since the cold wave began. Hamidia hospital recorded 2200 OPD patients while AIIMS has normal OPD patient of nearly 3000.
These OPDs of the said hospital have registered an increase. District hospital (JP Hospital)’ s OPD too records increased. Doctors, in maximum cases, advised the patients to take precautions or to protect themselves from cold wave. Usually, elderly persons are advise not to venture out for morning walk in morning hours in chilly weather
