An increase of five per cent deaths has been registered due to respiratory issues, seemingly fuelled by increased pollution in the national capital over an 18-year period, a report has claimed.
According to the Medical Certification of Cause of Deaths 2023 report released this week, the national capital witnessed a total of 2,769 deaths due to respiratory issues in 2005 while it increased to 8,801 in 2023.
The city saw a total of 56,390 institutional deaths out of which 2,769 were due to respiratory diseases contributing to 4.91 per cent, in 2005, while the number rose to 88,628 in 2023 contributing to 8,801 deaths (9.93 per cent) due to respiratory issues.
Out of these 8,801 deaths last year following respiratory issues, male deaths were 5,236 and female deaths were 3,563 and two were others (gender neutral).
“Out of 8,801 deaths, 3,606 deaths were due to pneumonia, 13 deaths due to acute bronchitis and acute bronchiolitis and 254 deaths due to asthma,” the report stated.
These respiratory diseases have been identified as respiratory infections, bronchitis and acute bronchitis, asthma, influenza and pneumonia.
Meanwhile, the deaths were also high in children aged between 5-14 years. There have been 11.60 per cent deaths due to diseases of the respiratory system among children.
Out of the total deaths of children, 9.49 per cent of the children died due to Hypoxia, birth asphyxia and other respiratory conditions.
“About 76.13 per cent of infant deaths have been reported to be caused by six major cause of deaths, including slow fetal growth, fetal malnutrition and immaturity (20.45 Per cent), Pneumonia (18.51 Per cent), Septicemia (14.95 Per cent), Hypoxia, birth asphyxia and other respiratory conditions (9.49 Per cent), All other conditions originating in the perinatal period (6.46 Per cent) and Shock, not elsewhere classified (6.27 Per cent),” the report stated.
These deaths can be related to severe air pollution in Delhi. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the average AQI at 393 in Anand Vihar on Wednesday as air quality remains in the poor category.
Dr. GC Khinani, Chairman of PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine said that young children, elderly, and those with co-morbidity are the worst hit due to increasing air pollution and suggests avoiding outdoor activities and morning walks.
“Everyone is affected by severe air pollution in Delhi. Healthy people are suffering from sore throats, headaches, irritation, and loss of appetite. I am attending many patients with asthma and bronchitis who are coming with severe breathlessness. The worst affected are young children, elderly, and people with comorbidities,” he said.
He further suggested, “It is important to take precautions and avoid early morning walks. You can go for a walk when the Sun is bright and use air purifiers at home especially for the people who are having respiratory and cardiac disease.”
Earlier, Dr. Ajay Swaroop, ENT Surgeon, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital told Tehelka.com that there was an increase in the number of young patients who are coming with breathing difficulty, irritation in the throat, nasal discharge and almost going on to asthma with breathing difficulty.
