Delhi hospitals saw 200,000 respiratory illness patients in three years

Getty Images A view outside the pollution-related disease clinic at RML Hospital in Delhi, which was one of six included in the government study on which it presented its findings to Parliament. The large board in the center shows the time, room numbers, etc. A man and woman are seen entering one of the rooms. — Some hospitals in Delhi now have clinics to treat pollution-related diseases.

More than 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illness were reported in Delhi's six public hospitals between 2022 and 2024, according to the federal government, as the Indian capital grappled with rising levels of pollution.

The government told parliament that more than 30,000 people with respiratory illnesses had to be hospitalized in those three years.

Toxic air is a constant problem in Delhi and its suburbs, especially in winter.

For weeks now, Delhi's air quality index (AQI), which measures various types of pollutants including PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can clog the lungs, has been more than 20 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organization.

There is no single cause for this problem but is attributed to a combination of factors such as industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust fumes, falling temperatures, low wind speed and seasonal stubble burning in neighboring states.

Delhi's six major hospitals reported 67,054 cases of acute respiratory illness in 2022, 69,293 in 2023 and 68,411 in 2024.

“The analysis shows that the increase in pollution levels was associated with an increase in the number of patients visiting emergency departments. However, this study design cannot provide evidence that this association is causal,” the government told parliament.

Over the past decade, Delhi's average AQI has crossed the “severe” 400 mark many times, especially in winter – levels that can harm even healthy people and pose a serious risk to those with pre-existing conditions.

Delhi's average AQI was around 380 on Wednesday morning, according to government-backed app Safar.

The BBC reported last week how many there is an influx of children in hospitals in Delhi and its suburbs who get sick due to toxic air.

The Delhi High Court will hear a petition on Wednesday calling for urgent steps to curb dangerous air pollution.

Over the past few years, the Supreme Court of India has also raised concerns about the air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas.

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