Skin and respiratory ailments in Malad-Kandivali belt show marked increase due to air pollution

MUMBAI: According to a study conducted by the Raksha Hospital Research Centre, a division of Raksha Multispeciality Hospital, Charkop Naka, Malad West, the incidence of skin and respiratory ailments in the Malad-Kandivali belt have increased several times over in the last 6-10 months due to increased air pollution caused by traffic congestion, BMC digging work, construction and infra work, etc.

The same views are endorsed by Smt. Gulshan P K of the Malad-Kandivali Residents Forum (MKRF) who felt that kids are the most affected and the ailments are affecting their school performance.

Dr Pranav Kabra, practicing Physician and cardiac expert at the Raksha Multispeciality Hospital says the cases of hospitalisation due to respiratory ailments has gone up significantly. TB, Pneumonia and other numbers are on the rise, Dr Kabra opined.

The Malad-Kandivali Residents Forum (MKRF) has strongly condemned the haphazard and apparently unplanned digging works by the Mumbai Metro, BMC and other utility companies in the locality.

“The air pollution in the area has almost doubled and during peak traffic hours, the air pollution is at an all time high. Due to this factor, skin diseases and respiratory diseases in residents of the area have increased several times over. The Mith chowky area is dug up for the last 8 to 10 months. Internal roads in Malad are also being dug up by utility service provides. The roads are not properly reinstated after being dug up. Residents have to face the brunt of this unplanned, haphazard activity,” said Dr Pranav Kabra of the MKRF.

Main highlights of a study conducted by Raksha Hospital Research centre, a division of Raksha Multi-speciality hospital

1. Incidence of skin ailments both in men and women as well as children in the Malad-Kandivali belt has shot up significantly in the last 8 to 10 months. Along with skin ailments, other respiratory diseases have shown a marked increase in prevalence.

2. The reason for this (point 1 above) is the increased air pollution in this locality caused by BMC and utility company digging work, construction activities and traffic congestion.

3. Cases of TB, Pneumonia, Asthma, Bronchitis and other lower respiratory tract ailments are increasing.

4. Air pollution, garbage, traffic congestion are also leading to massive increase in disease-causing mosquito population. Infrequent fumigation and fogging could be the main reason for the increased mosquito menace in this locality.