Potholed Roads Flood Ahmedabad with Patients

Ahmedabad : The orthopaedic department of Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital is teeming with patients. The reason: injuries and suffering caused by the city’s potholed roads. It may come as a surprise, but this is a fact – along with falling into potholes, people’s health is deteriorating due to the abundance of these hazards, leading urbanites to seek treatment in hospitals.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rains in Gujarat, and the continuous downpours in Ahmedabad have exposed the inadequacies of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) pre-monsoon operations. The rain has created numerous potholes on the city’s roads, making commuting perilous. Many residents are experiencing back pain and other injuries as their vehicles jolt into these potholes. As a result, the Orthopaedic Department of Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital is overflowing with patients seeking relief from back pain.

The orthopaedic department is now receiving about 100 patients daily, compared to an average of 30-40 patients before the monsoon season. Out of these, approximately 40 patients come for back pain treatment each day. The heavy rains have washed away significant portions of Ahmedabad’s roads, resulting in potholes everywhere. This has led to an increase in back pain cases during the monsoon season due to vehicle overturning or sudden jolts from hitting potholes.

Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Asia’s largest hospital, has seen a notable rise in patients suffering from back and hip pain. The Orthopaedic Department’s Outpatient Department (OPD) is inundated with back pain cases. While the rains are expected to continue in August, the upcoming festival season will see more townspeople venturing out, increasing the likelihood of more back pain cases due to the hazardous road conditions.

The spine department usually sees a higher number of back pain patients than any other issue in the OPD. However, this monsoon season has seen a 10% increase in such cases. The poor condition of the roads is causing problems for motorists, and the potholes, often hidden by waterlogging, lead to sudden jolts affecting the waist, lower neck, and associated veins. These jerks can sometimes result in serious injuries.

In severe cases, patients have suffered spinal cord injuries due to the constant exposure to bad roads. Simple pains are treated with medication, but more serious issues require detailed examinations, including X-rays. The negligence in maintaining road conditions is not just an inconvenience; it is a significant health risk for the population. The question remains whether the authorities will take this issue seriously and improve the road infrastructure to prevent further health complications.