Ranchi is seeing a 10% rise in gastrointestinal and stomach-related ailments during the festive season, with Sadar Hospital now treating around 200 to 250 such patients a day as residents eat outside while shopping and visiting pandals.
Ranchi civil surgeon Dr Amarendra Prasad said the increase had been recorded since the festivities began. Sadar Hospital treats about 2,500 patients on a typical day, of whom 100 to 150 usually report stomach-related problems. That daily figure has now climbed to nearly 200 to 250 cases, he said.
Doctors and health officials have linked the rise to greater consumption of food prepared or sold outside homes. They cited possible risks involving adulteration, poor storage and unhygienic preparation, particularly during a period when food outlets, markets and temporary festive stalls are likely to see heavier demand.
Prasad said inspections had found several violations at food outlets and markets. He said sweets were frequently found to contain substandard food colours, while some eateries were serving lentils that had been frozen for days. He also said stale vegetarian and non-vegetarian ingredients had been found during inspections.
“Hot food is not always fresh food,” Prasad said, urging residents to be cautious while eating out and to choose freshly prepared home-cooked meals wherever possible. His comments point to a food-safety challenge that becomes more visible during festivals, when high-volume preparation and rapid turnover can place additional pressure on inspection and storage practices.
The increase is also being reported in outpatient departments. Dr Shubham Shekhar, a general physician at Sadar Hospital, said at least two in every 10 patients visiting him were complaining of gastrointestinal problems. Patients were reporting abdominal discomfort, fever, loose motions and persistent vomiting, he said.
Shekhar also reported an increase in typhoid cases, which he primarily attributed to unsafe drinking water. The symptoms being reported can be associated with contaminated food and water, but individual diagnosis requires medical assessment. He cautioned residents against self-medication and advised patients to seek medical attention.
Access to treatment is available at government facilities. Shekhar said patients who find private healthcare expensive could visit Sadar Hospital, where expert consultation is available for a registration fee of Rs 10.
Private healthcare providers have reported a similar trend. An official at Orchid Hospital said outpatient visits for stomach infections and food-related illness had increased during the festive period. The report did not provide a separate case count from the hospital.
The reported rise places food inspections, safe drinking water and public access to timely medical care at the centre of Ranchi’s festive-season health response. Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution, while health officials continue to report cases through government and private outpatient services.
