Ranchi’s Sadar Hospital and Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences have placed their emergency burn units on alert ahead of Diwali, preparing beds, medicines and round-the-clock medical rosters for possible firecracker-related injuries.
Sadar Hospital has set aside a 10-bed burn ward and stocked essential medicines, including antibiotics and other burn-care drugs. Ranchi civil surgeon Dr Amarendra Prasad said the hospital was prepared to provide immediate treatment during the festival period.
“Around 9% of the cases we deal with are burn-related,” Prasad said, underlining the existing demand on the hospital’s burn-care services. He advised residents to begin first aid immediately after a burn rather than delaying treatment while arranging transport to a hospital.
“The affected body part should immediately be placed under cool running water. This helps reduce the heat and prevent further tissue damage,” Prasad said. He also urged residents not to delay hospital treatment in serious cases.
At RIMS, both the emergency department and burn ward have been placed on alert. The hospital has prepared duty rosters for resident doctors to ensure round-the-clock services, RIMS public relations officer Dr Shishir Kumar said.
The hospital authorities have advised residents to keep a bucket of water nearby while bursting crackers and to use fireworks only in open spaces. They have also urged families not to leave children unattended during celebrations.
Doctors advised residents to protect their eyes while using fireworks and to cool burn injuries with water immediately. Serious burns and eye injuries should be taken to the nearest hospital instead of being treated with home remedies, they said.
The preparedness measures place additional focus on the ability of Ranchi’s public hospitals to absorb sudden demand during a period when firecracker-related accidents can occur over a short time. The arrangements announced by Sadar Hospital and RIMS include dedicated burn beds, stocked medicines and staffing plans for emergency care.
For residents, the hospitals’ advice is to cool the affected body part under running water immediately, keep children under supervision and seek medical attention promptly for serious burns or eye injuries. The hospitals will remain on alert through the Diwali period, with resident doctors rostered to maintain emergency coverage.
