Amid the heatwave alerts, Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review public health preparedness for the management of heat-related illness.
During the meeting, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog were also present.
Highlighting the lack of accurate data from the ground, the Health Minister highlighted the importance of creating a central database with inputs from states to share field-level data on heatwaves, including on deaths and cases.
According to the Minister, a realistic assessment of the situation can be made. He also highlighted the importance of timely action as soon as IMD alerts are received in the states.
“Timely, advanced, and wide awareness among the people on the preventive measures will hugely support in reducing the severe impact of such heat waves”, he pointed out during the meeting.
During the meeting, the Union Health Minister also advised senior officials to meet with states for better coordination and understanding for efficient management of heat-related illnesses.
Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stressed on the formation of state-level and district-level committees for information and awareness campaigns among people. She stated the importance of equipping the Ayushman Arogra Mandirs with water coolers, ice packs and other necessities. She also highlighted the need for states to accelerate field-level implementation of State Action Plans for addressing the ill effects of heat waves.
Meanwhile, Dr V K Paul noted the importance of ensuring a checklist of the guidelines being followed at the state level. He also stressed on the need to spread awareness of treatment protocols through webinars and other methods. He also stressed on creating a repository of data from each state on heat-related cases and illness.
During the meeting, an analysis of overall heatstroke forecasting, pattern, climatology and vulnerable zones in India and most prone areas of increased heat wave in India was made by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials covering the trajectory of rainfall patterns, humidity and forecast of transition from El Nino to ENSO.
It was pointed out that the Heat Action Plans have been updated in 23 states while around 100 districts have their action campaign on heatwave awareness generation. SOPs for surveillance of heat stroke cases and deaths; and preparedness plan before and during summer season, with special emphasis on Heat-Related Illness (HRI) in vulnerable sections.
On Monday, IMD issued an advisory on the scorching temperatures expected this summer in the country. It has forecasted a harsh and arid summer over a majority of regions of the country during April-June. According to IMD, heatwave episodes may last as long as 10 to 20 days during the period.
In February this year, an advisory was issued by the Union Health Secretary to all the Chief Secretaries requesting compliance of states of the National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illnesses for effective preparedness of health facilities to address heat impact and management of cases.
“States were also advised to review health facility preparedness in terms of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, Ice-packs, ORS, drinking water as well as IEC activity for the public. It was also informed that do’s and don’ts during the summer months to be followed by the general population as well as the vulnerable people have been issued by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),” Health Ministry said in a statement.
