One in Four Patients in Delhi Hospitals Report Breathing Difficulties, Survey Finds

A health bulletin released by a Delhi-based monitoring agency shows that one out of every four patients admitted to city hospitals is suffering from breathing problems. The data, compiled from several public and private facilities over the past month, points to a consistent pattern of respiratory distress across age groups.
Experts attribute the surge to a combination of high ambient air pollution, seasonal temperature changes and lingering effects of recent viral infections. The capital’s air quality index has frequently hovered in the unhealthy range, exacerbating conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and acute respiratory infections.
The Delhi Health Department has responded by urging hospitals to prioritize oxygen supply, expand respiratory care units and intensify public awareness campaigns on protective measures like mask usage and indoor air filtration. Officials also indicated plans to coordinate with the Pollution Control Board for short‑term mitigation strategies.
Health officials caution that while the current figures are alarming, timely interventions and community cooperation can curb the trend and reduce the burden on medical facilities.