His daughter Kajal (24) helped him throughout the day taking him to the clinic for consultation. He said his symptoms had increased over the past week. So I brought him here. She told me that his condition – severe breathing problems and a strong cough – had deteriorated quickly and he had to be rushed to a special clinic.
Ajay, 46, also sits at the clinic. Which are known by one name. Ajay, who hails from Bihar, said he came to Delhi for work 15 years ago. But now they must pay a heavy price.
Like the rich, I cannot buy an air purifier or a car to protect my family from pollution. My children study here, so we have no choice but to stay. But we are seriously considering leaving the city for the sake of our health.
They are among the many patients who come to the pollution-related disease prevention center. The first clinic of its kind dedicated to health problems linked to pollution. Operational from October 2023, it is a special facility of RML Hospital that treats pollution-related health problems across four departments. Respiratory, Dermatology, Eye Care and Psychiatry.
The clinic only operates two hours a week on Mondays, but officials plan to expand its hours and days as the number of patients increases.
There has been a significant increase in the number of people coming to the clinic. From less than 10 patients per week to around 20-30 since Diwali, it has become a lifeline for people suffering from pollution-related illnesses. Even before the clinic doors opened on Monday, patients of different age groups had arrived. and waited outside.
Published on: November 19, 2024 at 7:29 PM (IST)
