The Health Department on Friday issued a detailed advisory urging inhabitants to celebrate an eco-friendly and green Diwali, while assuring them that health services were completely prepared to deal with any festival-related emergencies.
Ahead of the festival of lights, the Health Department, Jalandhar, on Thursday said all necessary arrangements had been made to make sure that emergency health services were equipped to handle any untoward incidents. Authorities remarked medicines and other vital supplies had been adequately stocked.
The advisory highlighted that noise and smoke from firecrackers could be harmful to the elderly, individuals with respiratory ailments, pregnant women and new-borns. Locals were appealed to to make sure a peaceful and clean environment during the festivities.
Extending greetings to people to mark Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, Civil Surgeon, Jalandhar, Dr Rajesh Garg, appealed to locals to celebrate an eco-friendly, pollution-free and safe Diwali.
The Civil Surgeon promised that the Health Department was entirely prepared to make sure public safety. Emergency services will remain operational round the clock at the District Civil Hospital, as well as all Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the district. Physicians, paramedical staff and ambulance services have been kept ready to deal with any untoward incidents.
He stated that if residents chose to burst firecrackers during Diwali, they must take required precautions to protect their eyes. Adults must remain present and supervise children while they burst firecrackers, he advised. In case of an eye injury triggered by firecrackers, people should avoid rubbing or touching the affected eye and make sure that the patient is examined by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) at the earliest, the Civil Surgeon said.
He also cautioned residents to pay special attention to their food and drink consumption during the festive season. Advising against excessive consumption of sweets, he appealed to people to opt for fresh, homemade food items instead.