Accident-linked incidents during New year; 47% higher than in 2020

A total number of 165 cases have been reported to the Colombo National Hospital (CNH) on the New Year's dawn, had seen a 47% rise compared to last year, CNH Chief Nursing Instructor Pushpa Ramyani de Soysa today said.

According to the Deputy Director of Accident Ward, 49 persons have been admitted for having fallen on the roads and other places and another 40 persons who have met with road accidents during the New Year.

21 were warded due to domestic quarrels, 19 people have sustained wounds over physical assault and three incidents were linked to burning injuries sustained due to lighting of firecrackers, the Deputy Director said.

Chief Nursing Instructor Pushpa Ramyani de Soysa told the Daily Mirror that last year, the CNH had received only 85 patients during the New Year and this year the number has swelled significantly. 

Moreover, she said 23 patients who had been transferred were admitted today at the CNH from several areas in order to receive treatment for various health issues, he said.

She also requested the public to be cautious during the New year season, as there could be an escalation in incidents such as sudden collapse on the ground, road and other accidents, domestic violence, injuries due to lighting of firecrackers and injuries sustained while being engaged in Avurudu games during the next few days.

She requested the people to refrain from consuming alcohol excessively during the festive season and to minimise accident-prone incidents. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama and Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)