Health Ministry issues advisory to States amid rising temperature and heatwave
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Sunday issued an advisory to the chief secretary of states amid the rising temperature and heatwave in parts of the country.
He informed that the daily heat alerts which are being shared by India Meteorological Department (IMD) as well as National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with States indicate a forecast of a heatwave for the next 3-4 days and the alerts may be disseminated promptly at the district/health facility level.
Mr Bhushan has asked states to disseminate guidelines on the “National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illnesses” at the district level.
“States should sensitise all health staff on early recognition and management of heat illness,” he wrote.
He asked to make sure the availability of sufficient drinking water at all health facilities and the continued functioning of cooling appliances in critical areas.
Health facilities should prepare and review the availability of I.V. fluids, ice packs, ORS and all necessary items, the health secretary said.