As severe heatwave conditions have grappled several parts of the country, the Ministry of Health issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories to submit data on heatstroke cases and deaths, on daily basis. The health ministry has also directed the states and UTs to submit data regarding the total deaths from March 1, this year, and also make the public aware of neceassary precautions to be taken in order to safeguard them against extreme heat.
The health ministry has directed the State Nodal Officers under the National Program for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) to ensure dissemination of guidelines to all districts regarding National Action Plan on Health-Related Illnesses. Besides, they have also been directed to enure strengthening health systems preparadeness for health-related illnesses and National Disaster Management Authority guidelines for preparing action plan for prevention and management of heat wave.
The ministry has also directed to implement heat-heath action plan, meet with state and district task force on climate change and human health, and report daily data on heatstroke cases and deaths, emergency attendence, and total deaths from March 1,2024.
Prompt Dissemination Of Early Warnings & Heatwave Forecast
The Ministry of Health has also instructed that early warnings and forecasts of heatwaves from the India Meteorological Department should be disseminated to healthcare facilities and vulnerable populations at the earliest.
The advisory also stated that the people should be asked to avoid overcrowded pockets at the event side, ensure adequate air circulation, check for heatwave forecasts, high humidity, active heatwave warnings, before organsing a mass gathering or sporting event during summers.
Some of the dos and donts while planning outdoor event include:
- Check heatwave forecasts, high humidity, active heatwave warnings, consult local IMD centre.
- Avoid days when active heatwave warnings and high humidity are expected.
- Avoid planning outdoor events in the hottest time of day, which is around 12PM-3PM.
- Plan assessment of event venue or ground along with a medical team from local health facilities to set up medical camps and cooling areas.
- Safe and adequate water supply and convenient access must be arranged.
- Water outlets must be reviewed and approved for safety, hygiene, and water quality.
- Water quantity for emergency cooling, spraying, and dousing must be considered separately.
- Shade and shelter to reduce open exposure of attendees to the sun must be arranged.
- Provision or establishment of well ventilated and cooled rooms must be done.
- Wearing appropriate clothing and protective measures like sunscreen, hat,and umbrella are necessary.
- Consider heat-related illnesses in health surveillance, response planning, and medical management.