New Delhi. As heatstroke cases surge in many parts of north India due to the scorching heat, the Union health ministry has issued an advisory to centrally-run hospitals to treat heatstroke patients on a priority basis. Health minister JP Nadda has reviewed the status and preparedness of centrally-run government hospitals and directed officials to ensure that special heatwave units are set up so that patients can be given the best possible care. This heat wave has seen 20 deaths in just three major hospitals in the national capital.
At Delhi’s government-run Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, 45 patients have been admitted with heat-related problems since May 27. The hospital has reported nine deaths due to such problems since then and seven of these deaths have occurred in the last two days. According to an NDTV report, nine people have also died at Safdarjung Hospital this heat – including five on Wednesday – and two at Lok Nayak Hospital in the last seven days. Patients with heatstroke symptoms have also been admitted to several other hospitals in the national capital.
Dr Ajay Shukla, medical superintendent of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, warned that the mortality rate in cases of heatstroke is quite high – around 60-70 per cent. “If the patient is brought to the hospital late, one organ after another starts to fail. There is a lack of awareness about heat stroke. Many of these patients are migrant labourers. Also, the symptoms (of heatstroke) can easily be ignored or misinterpreted. It is only when the patients faint that their relatives realise that hospitalisation is needed,” he said.
Dr Shukla said there is a need to spread awareness about heatstroke. He said, “We need to educate people. If you suspect that someone is suffering from heatstroke, instead of rushing to the hospital immediately, you should start cooling them there itself. Use water, ice while trying to take them to the hospital. The ambulances we have are also equipped with facilities so that they can cool down immediately after reaching the patients.”
Tags: Delhi Hospital, Heat Wave, Jp nadaa
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 19, 2024, 19:40 IST