Coolers Installed In UP Hospital, Cause Of Recent Deaths Being Identified, Say Officials

After an inspection of Ballia district hospital, doctors found that patients were facing problems because of the heat.

A day after the district magistrate of Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district said that there was no concrete evidence to point out that the high number of deaths at the district hospital was due to the ongoing heatwave. Later that day, the Director of Medical Care, Dr KN Tiwari in Ballia inspected the situation of the district hospital and found patients were facing issues from the heat, reported ANI. He also said that five air coolers have been installed in the wards for the patients and they are getting relief from the heat.

"We inspected the situation of the district hospital yesterday. Patients are facing problems due to heat. The arrangements at the hospital have been improved. Five air coolers have been installed in the wards for the patients and they are getting relief from the heat. Only one death is reported in one of the villages and that too the deceased was a TB patient. We are looking into all aspects to identify if there is any underlying common cause behind these deaths. Samples are being collected from patients and examination is underway", Tiwari was quoted as saying by ANI. 

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Superintendent of Maharshi Devraha Baba Medical College in Deoria, HK Mishra told ANI, that a total of four people died due to suspected heatstroke in June alone.

"In June, a total of four people died due to suspected heatstroke. These four people died before a confirmatory diagnosis could be conducted", Mishra was quoted by ANI.

On Sunday, at least 54 people died and around 300 people were amitted at a district hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia in the last three days due to severe heat. SK Yadav, in-charge Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Ballia, said that 23 patients died on June 15, 20 the next day, and 11 on Saturday.

While speaking to reporters, Dr BP Tiwari, Additional Health Director, Azamgarh Circle said, "Deaths of people above 60 years are increasing. It has not been confirmed yet as to what is the cause of death. A team from Lucknow will come tomorrow to investigate the matter. Another aspect is that due to excessive heat or extreme cold, the figures of death of patients with respiratory and other diseases increase."

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday, called a high-level meeting to review the situation after several deaths due to heat stroke were reported in the state. The meeting is being attended by the Chief Secretary, senior officials of the Health Department, Animal Husbandry and Relief and Disaster Department among others.