The Health Ministry’s data on heat-related illnesses and deaths affirmed that there were at least 80 heat stroke fatalities, comprising both confirmed and suspected cases, in the country during May. Moreover, it showed that there were 605 deaths due to various cardiovascular diseases. Between March and May, there have been 56 confirmed fatalities from heat strokes; with 46 being recorded in May alone.
Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of possible cases of heat stroke in May which amounted to 5204 followed by Rajasthan (4357), Andhra Pradesh (2183) and Chhattisgarh (2043). Although extreme heat may be a risk factor for all ages groups, older age groups including pregnant women with chronic non-communicable morbidities especially those with compromised cardiovascular health are more prone to mortality and morbidity associated with (extreme) heat.
Madhya Pradesh had the largest number of confirmed heat stroke deaths at 14 followed by Maharashtra at 11 while Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh had five cases each.
Daily Monitoring
As observed trend summertime temperatures indicate above normal seasonal maximum temperatures this summer, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) issued an advisory to State Health departments regarding their preparedness for heat wave season. This means the health departments should be prepared for any eventuality and act accordingly as it was stated that they must ensure readiness and timely response to lessen impacts on human health caused by extremely high temperatures.
Under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health, States should start daily submission of data on Heat Stroke Cases & Deaths, emergency attendance & Total Deaths from March onwards using Integrated Health Information Platform. Also States need to ensure all hospitals/health facilities maintain a digital line list of Heat Stroke Cases & Deaths i.e both Suspected & Confirmed.
Managing Heat Related Illnesses
On top of that health facilities have been asked to be ready to prevent/manage severe hot weather conditions related illnesses and ensure the procurement/supply of adequate supplies of ORS packs, essential medicines, IV fluids, Ice-packs & equipment to support volume depletion/electrolyte imbalance management.
According to the advisory, “Health centers shall identify active cooling strategies that can be used at health facilities and field levels based on resources available, develop internal protocols, train health care staff, identify/procure resources at health facilities and for ambulances to ensure emergency rapid cooling of severe heat related illness patients, ensure availability of sufficient drinking water at all health facilities and sufficient availability of general cooling appliances in waiting and patient treatment area including their functioning. Also cases with suspected heat stroke should be rapidly assessed and actively cooled using standard treatment protocols.’‘
