On Wednesday, EMRI 108 services recorded 5,897 emergency medical cases, signifying a 33% spike compared to a normal day call volume. “A significant rise was observed in trauma (non-vehicular) cases, which increased from a normal average of 484 cases to 1,313, marking a 171% rise on Uttarayan day. This surge is largely linked to festival-related activities such as kite-flying, rooftop movement, and increased public interactions,” stated a release by the EMRI 108 services.There was a massive 284% rise in physical assault cases, a 92% rise in cases of fall from height, and a rise of over 1,000% in crush injuries, and electrocution and burns cases, said senior officials. Four major cities of Gujarat recorded the bulk of the cases, according to statistics, with Ahmedabad topping vehicular accident and non-vehicular trauma cases.Hospitals in Ahmedabad too, recorded a significant rise in cases. Dr Rakesh Joshi, medical superintendent of Civil Hospital, said that, till the morning hours of Jan 15, the hospital had received 42 patients with string-related injuries, including 25 treated as OPD patients. The primary injury sites were the nose, fingers and face, he added.“A total of 17 patients needed admission, where they underwent a suturing procedure. The majority of the patients were male, and eight were children,” he said.The hospital also attended to 24 cases of falls from height, where eight had to be admitted, two were put on a ventilator support, and two on oxygen. Out of the total, 20 were male, said officials. An additional 50 patients were brought in after road traffic accident incidents. Sola Civil Hospital officials said that, on Wednesday, a total of 15 patients were attended to due to Uttarayan-related injuries.
