Health Secretary Writes To States, Uts To Take Heatwave Preparedness Measures

(MENAFN- Live Mint) New Delhi: In the wake of early onset of summer and increase in exposure to heat across the northern and central parts of the country, Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has directed the governments of state and Union territories (UTs) to implement the national advisory or action plan on heat-related illnesses.

Srivastava said health facilities must be prepared for availability of adequate quantities of essential medicines, intravenous (IV) fluids, ice packs, oral rehydration solution (ORS) and all necessary equipment.

According to the India Metrological Department (IMD), during the upcoming hot weather season (March to May), the country may see above-normal seasonal maximum temperatures in most parts, especially in northern and central India.

Also read | IMD warns of 'double heatwave' in this part of India from March-May 2025 | See full forecast

“From 1st March 2025 onwards, through daily surveillance, patient-level information on clinical diagnosis of heatstroke is being captured on Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) for all the States/UTs,” said Srivastava in a letter to all the state governments.

She added that the daily heat alerts generated by IMD are shared by the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with the states.

“These alerts include forecasts of heat wave for the next 3-4 days and may be disseminated promptly to all health facilities. State, Districts and City health departments may ensure the implementation of heat-health action plans and support in planning, managing and assessing response to heat along with other responding agencies,” Srivastava said.

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