States, U.T.s asked to submit data on heatstroke cases
Avoid election campaignrelated activities between noon and 3 p.m. and check overcrowding; ensure deployment of medical teams at the venues, says the National Centre for Disease Control
The States and Union Territories should submit data on heatstroke cases and deaths on the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP), the National Centre for Disease Control has said in an advisory to State Health departments as summer heat intensifies in the country.
With elections around the corner, the centre has also issued directions on preventing health issues during mass gatherings. These include early warnings, avoiding activities between noon and 3 p.m., and an assessment of venues with a medical team for setting up medical camps.
Directing organisers to ensure that there are no overcrowded pockets during events, the centre said that vulnerable people should be identified at entry checkpoints and monitored with the help of volunteers/cameras on site. Events are also supposed to have uniformed medical aid teams, detailed venues with indications to the nearest exit and proper indications about the exits. “Keep effective communication between the healthcare team and event stakeholders,’’ the centre has said.
Meanwhile, doctors have also warned about the rising temperature and noted that people should look out for symptoms of sun allergies and dehydration, including dizziness, headache, excessive thirst, dryness of mouth, decrease in urine output, and fainting.
“Elderly people, young children, patients suffering from chronic illness and on multiple medications are more prone to the effects of extreme heat. Severe dehydration due to excessive heat can cause stroke and contribute to formation of blood clots also. Hence, maintenance of adequate hydration is essential,” said Navinath M., consultant nephrologist, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU), Chennai.
“With the escalating temperatures, there is a noticeable uptick in cases of sun allergies and sunburn among individuals. It’s crucial to time outdoor activities wisely and use the time when the sun’s rays are less intense. We strongly advocate for the application of sunscreen to exposed skin areas and advise limiting sun exposure to 510 minutes on the upper back,” explained Aakansha Arora, child specialist, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals. “We’re witnessing a concerning trend, with approximately 20% of our daily patients presenting with sunrelated allergies, including rashes and pigmentation issues. Children and individuals engaged in outdoor occupations are particularly vulnerable,’’ she added.