As the pollution levels in the city continue to rise, the only hope of relief seems to be coming from the Maulana Azad Medical College. The doctors here have confirmed that a one-of-its-kind course will be introduced at the medical college to train doctors to deal with problems owing to environmental health. Doctors said the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health will not only conduct surveys but also study the data collected to find solutions. "Last year we had done a study on the effect of air pollution around Diwali on a sample size of 800 people. We conducted a study on the health condition of these people three days before and three days after the festival and had found respiratory issues in all. We had also pulled data from 22 government hospitals across the city, out of these, 15 had reported a 50 per cent rise in respiratory cases before and after Diwali. To continue with these studies and to deal with the patients, we will have a dedicated, trained staff," said Dr MK Daga, member secretary, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health. The Delhi government had already run a society — Indraprastha Vyavsayik Evam Paryavarneeya Swasthya Samiti (IVPSS), which helped collect the data during winter, when the blanket of smog exponentially raised the air quality index to 950. But the society did not have enough resources for research-based findings. "Official papers for the setting-up of the faculty have been forwarded and we are looking to get at least six people as dedicated staff for the same. The team will help find scientific evidence of air pollution. But this set up will take some time and thus we still need separate preparations for the coming season," said Dr Siddharth Ramji, dean, Maulana Azad Medical College. NOT ANY BETTER YET

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