Kolkata's hospitals are grappling with a sharp post-Diwali and Kali Puja surge in respiratory ailments and pregnancy-related complications, as air and noise pollution from firecracker bursts push the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) beyond 200 in several locales, well into the "poor" to "very poor" categories. Medical professionals across facilities reported a 10-25% uptick in outpatient department (OPD) visits and a 5-15% rise in admissions between October 20 and 22, attributing the crisis to toxic emissions like sulphur dioxide, PM2.5, and PM10 particulates that exacerbate chronic conditions and foetal risks. This annual phenomenon, intensified by Kolkata's dense urban fabric and Ganges basin topography trapping pollutants, underscores the clash between cultural fervour and public health, with vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, asthmatics, and expectant mothers—bearing the brunt amid festive residues lingering in the air.

Pulmonologists documented widespread aggravation of pre-existing ailments, with facilities like ILS Hospital in Dumdum seeing a 20% OPD spike and 10-15% more inpatients presenting with wheezing, chest tightness, and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) or asthma. Dr Mrinmoy Mitra, senior consultant pulmonologist at ILS, noted that firecracker smoke creates a "hazardous environment" for those with interstitial lung disease (ILD) or chronic lung issues, while Techno India DAMA Hospital treated over 40 COPD and asthma flare-ups in three days—triple the norm.

At Manipal Hospitals, Dr Debraj Jash, head of pulmonology, reported a 20-25% OPD increase, predominantly among children, and 5-10% more elderly admissions for interstitial conditions. Dr Soumya Sengupta highlighted symptoms like throat irritation and shortness of breath from ethylbenzene exposure, urging stricter enforcement of firecracker bans in a city where AQI readings at sites like Ballygunge and Salt Lake hit 250-300 post-festivities, per Central Pollution Control Board data.

Gynaecologists flagged heightened risks for pregnant and IVF patients, with Abha Surgy Centre observing a 15-20% jump in complaints, including respiratory distress, hypertension, insomnia, and preterm labour signals. Dr Sourav Bhuin explained that fine particulates can breach the placental barrier, endangering foetal development, while noise-induced anxiety from loud bursts compounds stress, potentially triggering early contractions.

Contrasting this, Manipal Hospitals saw minimal rises among expectant mothers, crediting precautionary behaviours like indoor stays. Kolkata's pregnancy complication rates, already elevated in polluted urban pockets per state health surveys, amplify during festivals; a 2023 ICMR study linked Diwali pollution to 12% higher miscarriage risks in eastern India. IVF clinics, too, reported disrupted cycles, with patients advised to pause treatments amid volatile air quality.

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As Kolkata's AQI forecasts predict a gradual dip with monsoonal winds, experts like Dr Mitra and Dr Bhuin advocate for proactive measures: N95 masks, air purifiers, medication adherence for at-risk groups, and public campaigns promoting eco-friendly celebrations like laser shows. Authorities, including the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, have extended green cracker mandates, but enforcement lags, with violations rampant in peri-urban areas. This surge echoes national trends—Delhi's post-Diwali AQI topped 500 last year—prompting calls for federal incentives for low-emission festivities.

For a city of 15 million where respiratory diseases claim over 50,000 lives annually per WHO estimates, balancing tradition with health demands urgent reforms: subsidised purifiers for low-income homes, school closures during peaks, and community monitoring apps. As embers fade, Kolkata's recovery hinges on collective resolve to safeguard its most fragile, ensuring joy doesn't choke the future.

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