Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The number of diabetes patients among gas tragedy victims is five times higher than found among normal people. Similarly, number of menopause case is 2.6 times higher among gas tragedy-hit women, a study conducted by Sambhavana Trust Clinic, revealed.
On the eve of the 40th anniversary of Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal, members of the Trust presented an analysis of clinical data of 16,305 gas-exposed and 8,106 unexposed patients who received care at the Clinic in the last 16 years. The data highlights the need for continued medical research and sustained healthcare services for survivors of the disaster.
Physician Dr Usha Arya said, ‘Rates of diseases known to disproportionately affect gas-exposed populations, such as respiratory illnesses and mental health disorders remained significantly higher throughout the last 16 years.
Both obstructive and restrictive types of respiratory diseases were 1.7 to 2 times higher in the gas-exposed group compared to unexposed population’. She further added, ‘Likewise depression was observed to be 2.7 times more prevalent in the gas-exposed group.
Conditions not previously associated with gas exposure, like diabetes and hypertension were curiously found to be consistently and significantly elevated over the last sixteen years. Diabetes was found to be five times higher among gas-exposed patients compared to the non-exposed. Likewise, hypertension was found to be over three times higher.’
Gynaecologist Dr Sonali Mittal pointed out that several diagnoses were more prevalent in gas-exposed women. Hormonal conditions such as early and premature menopause were 2.6 times more frequent in gas-exposed women compared to those not affected.
