NewsGate Press Network

The Union Health Ministry on Sunday urged all states and Union Territories to disseminate the guideline document ‘National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illnesses’ to all districts for effective management of cases being to the extreme temperature amid the ongoing heatwave in the country.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to all states/UTs requesting to disseminate the national guidelines for heat-related illnesses.

Rajesh Bhushan highlighted that health facilities need to increase resilience to extreme heat by arranging uninterrupted electricity for constant functioning of cooling appliances, installation of solar panels (wherever feasible), and measures to reduce indoor heat through cool/green roofs, window shades, shade outside, etc.

He also asked the states to review the preparedness of health facilities regarding the availability of adequate quantities of essential medicines, IV fluids, ORS and the necessary equipment to deal with heatwave cases.

The extreme temperatures have raised concerns over primary and secondary level health systems, both in the public and private sectors, getting flooded with patients requiring treatment for heat-related illnesses.

The health ministry had released an advisory to states a few days ago asking them to step up facilities and services for people landing up in hospitals due to extreme heat conditions.

“Guidelines have been sent to the states as part of the routine exercise carried out every year ahead of summer to minimise cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” according to the Union Health Ministry.