3 min readNew DelhiJun 20, 2024 09:06 AM IST
First published on: Jun 20, 2024 at 04:20 AM IST
The Union Health Ministry has reiterated its guidelines on heat-related illnesses, which asks States to report heat-related deaths and total deaths from all health facilities on the Integrated Health Information Platform. The guidelines ask states to maintain a digital list of all heatstroke cases and deaths — whether confirmed or suspected — and to undertake an investigation of all suspected heat-related deaths by a medical officer or epidemiologist to understand the circumstances of the suspected death.
This comes after a review meeting on the heatwave situation by Union Health Minister J P Nadda. He directed officials to ensure all hospitals were prepared to provide care to the affected and also directed central government hospitals to start special heatwave units.
The guidelines call for meetings of state and district task forces to create and implement SOPs for the heat wave season.
“Most regions of our country are continuously experiencing above-normal temperatures day and night. Such conditions increase the chances of developing severe heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It is imperative such cases of severe HRI are identified in time, triaged, and provided immediate attention…,” read a letter sent by Union Director General of Health Services Dr Atul Goel to states and hospitals.
It recommends that all central government hospitals in Delhi, AIIMS branches, and state government health institutes must gear up to treat those with heat-related illnesses keeping in mind local temperature forecasts and warnings.
Health facilities have been asked to procure adequate ORS packs, essential medicines, IV fluids, ice packs. They have also been asked to have in place strategies for active cooling and adequate drinking water.
“Cases with suspected heat stroke should be rapidly assessed and actively cooled using standard treatment protocols,” the guideline states.
The hospitals are asked to ensure cooling in waiting areas and provide shade outside health facilities in heat-prone areas. They have also been asked to coordinate with electricity supply companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
And, for mass gatherings and events, the guidelines say that overcrowding should be prevented, adequate air circulation should be ensured, medical aid teams with ice boxes, cold water, ORS packets should be present, and have a minimum of 2 litres of free drinking water per person. There should also be provision for cooled rooms or misting areas.
This comes after a review meeting on the heatwave situation by Union Health Minister
J P Nadda. 
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