In view of the spike in cases of injuries caused by accidents on the day of Holi, the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) Hospital has made special arrangements to take on emergencies.
It is commonly observed that drunk driving coupled with use of intoxicants is the chief cause of the spurt in accidents on the day of Holi festival.
The medical superintendent (MS) of the GDMC Hospital Dr K K Tamta said that all the doctors of the hospital have been asked to remain on standby in case of any emergency. He said that three doctors apart from the normal staff would be deployed in the emergency ward of the hospital to cater to the increased load on the day.
Holi, the festival of joy, is marked with large- scale consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants. Many Holi revellers view the festival as a license to booze and dope. The law- enforcing agencies like police also adopt a lenient view on the Holi hooligans who openly booze at the public places. The data of 108 ambulance shows that the number of accidents associated with drunk driving steeply increases on the day of Holi.
Senior physician Dr K P Joshi said that the people should refrain from drinking alcohol on the occasion of Holi. He said that those who relish the booze and cannot remain away from it on Holi should take it in moderation. Dr Joshi advised that booze lovers should also drink plenty of water to prevent themselves from being dehydrated and should not drive after consuming alcohol.
It is worth mentioning here that many cases associated with injuries to eye and skin are reported on the day of Holi.
GDMC Hospital has asked other senior doctors to remain on standby as they can be called up in case of any emergency.
The chemicals in the commonly used colours of Holi could severely damage the eye and skin. These colours have compounds of lead and mercury which are potent carcinogenic (cancer causing agents) substances.
The doctors warn that the use of colours laced with harmful chemicals can be very dangerous.
The senior Dermatologist, Dr Anil Arya said that the lead and mercury compounds in the Holi colours can cause allergy due to which rashes and severe itching can occur and in acute cases, minor wounds on skin can take place.
He informed that a disease called contact dermatitis can also occur from these chemicals. The dermatologist suggested that the people should refrain from using such colours and even if they do they should immediately wash them off. He advised the die-hard Holi revellers to put some body lotion or oil before venturing out of their homes on the day. The colours can also damage the eye.
The head of d the epartment of ophthalmology at GDMC Hospital Dr Sushil Ojha said that many cases of eye injury are reported on the festival of colours.
“Close your eyes whenever anyone applying colours on forehead or face. If any colour or irritation happens in eyes must be washed thoroughly with tap water and if still the irritation persists or the eyes remain reddened one must visit an eye specialist for the proper diagnosis and treatment,’’ he said.
The doctors also caution that the balloons filled with colored water can be dangerous when they strike the eyes. The cornea of the eye is damaged in such cases due to which vision could be affected, they cautioned.
