Bhubaneswar : In the event of rising temperature throughout the State along with very hot and humid condition, State Government directed health facilities at different levels to stay in total readiness for dealing with heat related diseases. Secretary Health and Family Welfare Smt Shalini Pandit, in a special guideline instructed all medical colleges & hospitals, subdivisional hospitals, community health centres and district head quarter hospitals to scrupulously ensure all preparedness as per Govt letter issued earlier on 19 March, 2024. Referring to the National Action Plan on Heat Related Illnesses, and State Action Plan on Heat Related Illness, She directed to ensure proper management of heat related cases , surveillance , and proactive measures for mitigating the chances of morbidity. The guidelines mentioned the following.
All facilities to ensure logistics in all health care facilities to meet the exigencies. Health facility preparedness must be reviewed with regard to availability of earmarked beds, adequate quantities of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, ice packs, ORS and all necessary equipment’s to provide active, emergency medical care with uninterrupted power supply. Guidance on development of heatstroke room and emergency management of severe heat-related illnesses are disseminated. Availability of sufficient drinking water at all Health Facilities and continued functioning of cooling appliances in critical areas must be ensured.
Undertake proper investigation of suspected heat related illness (HRI) death as per Nation Action Plan to understand the circumstances around a suspected HRI death.
Post mortem of all suspected HRI deaths are to be conducted . The information regarding death should be submitted to Govt immediately. The confirmed deaths would be notified by SRC/ Collector of the District.
Efforts should be made for sensitization and capacity building of medical officers, health staff, grassroot level workers on heat illness, its early recognition and management. Training manuals developed by NCDC on these subjects made available earlier should be used for orientation.
Districts may also utilize Information, Education and Communication (IEC) as well as Community Level awareness materials developed by NPCCHH & Director SIHFW regarding the precautions to be taken by population to safeguard them against heat wave.
