Severe summer heat waves are what India is currently facing, and this has prompted the Union Health Ministry to act swiftly and set up the heat wave units in all the central government hospitals. The decision occurs as the mortality rate increases and healthcare centers note an alarming rise in hyperthermic pathology incidence across the United States.
Recently, Union Health Minister JP Nadda also conducted a quick review of the situation and directed authorities to make all Hospitals fully geared up for the coming crisis in this regard.
The latest government figures show that at least 110 people died from heat-related causes across the country, and Uttar Pradesh had the highest death toll of 36 this summer. However, professionals believe the actual statistics could be even higher as the number of unreported cases is rather high, particularly in rural zones.
Hospitals have not been spared from the heatwave’s effects, as shown below. In an interview with Dr. Reshu Agarwal, a Manipal Hospital in Pune, she says she can diagnose at least 25 to 30 patients suffering from heat-related illnesses per week, more so than in previous years. Increased disease severity, including higher fevers, multiple diarrheal episodes, and vomiting, coupled with prolonged recovery periods.
In Delhi, Dr. Vimal Kumar Nakra of Max Super Speciality Hospital says that the signs may include dry, warm skin, headache, alteration in mental state, confusion, seizures, or even loss of consciousness. Many of the infected are severe cases, especially among the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.
The expert, Dr Gaurav Jain of Dharamshila Narayana Hospital, has noticed almost 10 severe cases in the last 10-12 days. Most of the critical patients are suffering from comorbidities.
While that is the case, the outpatient department receives a lot of clients. For instance, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute’s Dr. Arvind Aggarwal reveals that the hospital handles at least 10 cases of mild to moderate heat-associated symptoms per day.
The healthcare system is under pressure when temperatures reach 45 degrees Celsius. As polarizing weather conditions are expected, community leaders and health officials ask citizens to be especially careful and prepared.
