Centre directs hospitals to admit heat stroke patients on a priority basis
As temperatures in Delhi-NCR continue to rise, hospitals are seeing an influx of patients complaining of heat stroke and heat fatigue. The Centre has asked the hospitals in the city to admit people suffering from heat stroke on a priority basis.
On Wednesday, the government-run LNJP Hospital reported two deaths from heat stroke in the recent week.
“There are currently nine patients admitted to LNJP Hospital.” Four of the nine patients are on ventilators due to their serious state and multi-organ failure from heatstroke. On June 16, a patient died from heat stroke. Heatstroke sufferers must be treated as soon as possible or risk multi-organ failure, according to Suresh Kumar, Medical Director of LNJP Hospital.
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India grapples with severe heatwave
While the entire North and Northwest India is experiencing a heatwave, Delhi is dealing with a double whammy as its water crisis worsens. Delhi Water Minister Atishi has vowed to go on indefinite strike beginning June 21 if the water situation is not handled within a few days.
Heat stroke has claimed the lives of at least four people in Delhi. While LNJP Hospital reported two deaths in the recent week, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital both reported one death.
According to LNJP Hospital Managing Director Dr Suresh Kumar, the majority of those impacted by the heatwave were workers or rickshaw pullers over the age of 60.
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On Wednesday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda directed all central government hospitals and medical institutes to prioritize the admission and treatment of heat stroke patients. Nadda also directed that special heatwave units be established in central government hospitals.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also chaired an emergency meeting with heads of all major hospitals in Delhi. He directed hospitals to scale up the beds for patients of heat-related illnesses.
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The National Disaster Management Authority has also produced a list of Do’s and Don’ts in light of the heatwave conditions. These include minimizing exposure to the sun between 12 noon and 3 p.m., drinking enough of water, avoiding vigorous exercises, and avoiding high-protein foods, among others.
