New Delhi: The relentless heat wave gripping much of the country has claimed at least 114 lives and left more than 40,984 people suffering from suspected heatstroke between March 1 and June 18 this year, they said on Thursday. sources from the Ministry of Health.
Uttar Pradesh is the worst affected with 37 deaths, followed by Bihar, Rajasthan and Odisha, according to data compiled under the National Center for Disease Control's (NCDC) National Heat-Related Diseases and Deaths Surveillance Service.
"The data may not be the final presentation of the states. Therefore, the figures are expected to be higher," an official source said.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Thursday asked officials to regularly visit central government hospitals to see if separate arrangements have been made for patients affected by the heat wave.
According to the data, on June 19 there have been four deaths due to heatstroke.
Large areas of northern and eastern India have been hit by a heat wave, increasing the number of heatstroke victims and prompting the Center to issue advisories to hospitals to set up special units to care for such patients.
Nadda on Wednesday ordered that special heat wave units be set up in all central government hospitals to care for those who fall ill due to heat.
The Health Minister also asked officials to ensure that all hospitals are prepared to provide the best medical care to those affected as he reviewed the situation across the country and the readiness of hospitals to address it.
Under Nadda's instructions, the Health Ministry issued an advisory to the state health department regarding 'Heat Wave Season 2024'.
"The country may see above-normal seasonal maximum temperatures, in line with the observed trend of summer temperatures. To reduce the health impacts of extreme heat, health departments must ensure timely preparedness and response," the ministry said.
The advisory asked state nodal officials under the National Program for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) to start submitting daily data on heat stroke cases and deaths and total deaths from March 1, besides reporting under Surveillance of heat-related deaths and illnesses.
It called for maintaining a digital list of heatstroke cases and deaths (suspected/confirmed) at health facility/hospital level in specified formats and companies. They have been asked to ensure dissemination of the National Action Plan on Heat Related Illness (HRI) in all districts and strengthening the preparedness of health systems for HRI.
He emphasized on disseminating the heat wave early warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and said the forecast for the next four days should be disseminated among health facilities and vulnerable populations.
The advisory also directed preparation of health facilities for prevention and management of severe HRI and procurement and supply of adequate quantities of ORS (oral rehydration solution) packs, essential medicines, intravenous fluids, ice packs and equipment to support the management of volume depletion and electrolyte imbalance, etc.
He also called for ensuring the availability of sufficient drinking water in all health centers, general cooling devices in patient waiting and treatment areas and their operation, and stressed that cases with suspected heatstroke should be quickly evaluated and actively cooled using standard treatment protocols.
"Coordinate with power distribution company/corporation for uninterrupted supply of electricity to hospitals for constant operation of cooling appliances. Take measures to reduce indoor heat and energy conservation in healthcare facilities such as roofs cools/green roofs, window protection, rainwater harvesting, solarization, etc. Provide shade outside healthcare facilities in heat-prone regions," the advisory added.
Uttar Pradesh is the worst affected with 37 deaths, followed by Bihar, Rajasthan and Odisha, according to data compiled under the National Center for Disease Control's (NCDC) National Heat-Related Diseases and Deaths Surveillance Service.
"The data may not be the final presentation of the states. Therefore, the figures are expected to be higher," an official source said.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Thursday asked officials to regularly visit central government hospitals to see if separate arrangements have been made for patients affected by the heat wave.
According to the data, on June 19 there have been four deaths due to heatstroke.
Large areas of northern and eastern India have been hit by a heat wave, increasing the number of heatstroke victims and prompting the Center to issue advisories to hospitals to set up special units to care for such patients.
Nadda on Wednesday ordered that special heat wave units be set up in all central government hospitals to care for those who fall ill due to heat.
The Health Minister also asked officials to ensure that all hospitals are prepared to provide the best medical care to those affected as he reviewed the situation across the country and the readiness of hospitals to address it.
Under Nadda's instructions, the Health Ministry issued an advisory to the state health department regarding 'Heat Wave Season 2024'.
"The country may see above-normal seasonal maximum temperatures, in line with the observed trend of summer temperatures. To reduce the health impacts of extreme heat, health departments must ensure timely preparedness and response," the ministry said.
The advisory asked state nodal officials under the National Program for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) to start submitting daily data on heat stroke cases and deaths and total deaths from March 1, besides reporting under Surveillance of heat-related deaths and illnesses.
It called for maintaining a digital list of heatstroke cases and deaths (suspected/confirmed) at health facility/hospital level in specified formats and companies. They have been asked to ensure dissemination of the National Action Plan on Heat Related Illness (HRI) in all districts and strengthening the preparedness of health systems for HRI.
He emphasized on disseminating the heat wave early warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and said the forecast for the next four days should be disseminated among health facilities and vulnerable populations.
The advisory also directed preparation of health facilities for prevention and management of severe HRI and procurement and supply of adequate quantities of ORS (oral rehydration solution) packs, essential medicines, intravenous fluids, ice packs and equipment to support the management of volume depletion and electrolyte imbalance, etc.
He also called for ensuring the availability of sufficient drinking water in all health centers, general cooling devices in patient waiting and treatment areas and their operation, and stressed that cases with suspected heatstroke should be quickly evaluated and actively cooled using standard treatment protocols.
"Coordinate with power distribution company/corporation for uninterrupted supply of electricity to hospitals for constant operation of cooling appliances. Take measures to reduce indoor heat and energy conservation in healthcare facilities such as roofs cools/green roofs, window protection, rainwater harvesting, solarization, etc. Provide shade outside healthcare facilities in heat-prone regions," the advisory added.
