More than 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illnesses were recorded in six state-run hospitals in Delhi between 2022 and 2024 as the Indian capital struggled with rising pollution levels, the federal government has said.
The government reported in parliament that over 30,000 patients with respiratory illnesses were hospitalized during this period.
Toxic air is a recurring problem in Delhi, especially during the winter months. For weeks, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) has been measured at over 20 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organization.
The sources of Delhi's pollution include industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, low wind speeds, and the seasonal burning of crop stubble in nearby states.
From 2022 to 2024, six major hospitals documented 67,054 acute respiratory cases in 2022, 69,293 in 2023, and 68,411 in 2024.
The government's analysis indicated a correlation between increased pollution levels and higher patient admissions to emergency rooms, although it noted that the data does not confirm a causal relationship.
Delhi's average AQI has exceeded the 'severe' level of 400 on multiple occasions in the last decade, threatening even healthy individuals and posing serious risks to those with pre-existing health conditions.
As of Wednesday, Delhi's average AQI was around 380, according to the government-backed Safar app.
Reports indicate a growing influx of ill children in hospitals due to poor air quality. The Delhi high court is set to hear a petition calling for urgent actions against hazardous air pollution, emphasizing the serious concerns raised by the country’s top court.
