The Union Health Ministry reported 110 confirmed heatstroke deaths in the country since March, including six recorded last Tuesday. This summer has seen 40,272 cases of heatstroke. Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of deaths (36), followed by Bihar (17) and Rajasthan (16). Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh reported the most heatstroke cases (10,636) but only five deaths, PTI reported sources as saying.
Amid the surge in cases, Union Health Minister JP Nadda has directed the establishment of special heatwave units in all central government hospitals. He also instructed officials to ensure all hospitals are prepared to provide optimal healthcare to those affected. Nadda reviewed the situation and the preparedness of hospitals across the country to manage the crisis.
Heat-related deaths in Delhi
A total of 17 fatalities due to suspected heat-related illnesses have been recorded at Delhi’s RML and Safdarjung hospitals in the last 24 hours, officials said on Thursday. Delhi has been battling searing heatwave conditions over the last few days. It got some relief on Thursday morning due to light rain. Hospitals in Delhi have seen a rise in the number of casualties and patients owing to heatstroke. “The temperature has reached 52°C in the past few days, the highest in the last 60 years. The night temperature was also 38°C. The number of people suffering from heat wave effects has increased in North India,” Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said.
Earlier in the day, Bharadwaj conducted a surprise inspection at Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital to ensure they were equipped to treat patients with heat illnesses. He confirmed the availability of necessary medicines and ice packs and mentioned that other hospitals would also be inspected and deficiencies addressed, ANI reported.
The Minister has also written to the Delhi Police Commissioner, requesting the night patrol teams to take any sick individuals they encounter to the hospital. “We have asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to instruct his night patrol teams to take any sick individuals to the hospital or inform us so we can send an ambulance. CAT service has been told to deploy five ambulances in each district of Delhi to immediately transport sick individuals, especially those near night shelters, to the hospital,” he said.