Effective Heatwave Management in Every District – No Casualties from Heatstroke: Health Minister
- Tarun From Jaipur
The Health Minister stated that a high-level management system is being implemented by the Medical and Health Department to ensure prevention and treatment related to heatwaves.
All department personnel must work with the mindset that not a single life should be lost due to heatstroke. The entire medical infrastructure must operate in an alert mode with a proactive approach to provide timely relief to the public. From hospitals associated with medical colleges to sub-centres, arrangements for diagnosis, medicine, and treatment must be robust and well-prepared.
He further emphasized that any negligence or shortcomings in medical services will be the responsibility of the head of the respective medical institution.
The Minister was reviewing statewide preparations and activities related to heatwave management during a meeting at the Health Building on Tuesday. He urged all medical staff to exercise special caution regarding heatwave conditions. It must be ensured that hospitals have sufficient arrangements like fans, coolers, air conditioners, water coolers, diagnostic services, medicines, and treatment facilities.
Officials were instructed to conduct regular field inspections of medical institutions. For immediate availability of resources, the RMRS fund should be used, or alternative arrangements must be promptly implemented.
Immediate Relief through Rapid Response System
The Minister directed that patients affected by heatstroke must be provided immediate relief through a rapid response system. All medical institutions should maintain adequate stocks of medicines and ice packs required for heatwave-related treatment. Ambulances must remain fully equipped with essential resources to deliver emergency relief without delay.
Dedicated wards should be set up in hospitals for heatstroke patients, and control rooms must operate 24/7 in an efficient manner.
Special Arrangements in High-Risk Districts
Efforts are being made to ensure the availability of adequate staff in medical institutions. Where staff shortages exist, local alternative arrangements should be made so that no disruption in treatment occurs. The Minister assured that there will be no shortage of resources for heatwave management.
He interacted with Chief Medical and Health Officers across the state to review preparations and provided further instructions. Districts with higher heatwave intensity were advised to make special preparations.
Focus on Food Safety Activities
Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department emphasized that, along with heatwave preparedness, focus should also be placed on food safety. During summer, cases of illness due to contaminated food are common. Therefore, all districts must regularly test food items for adulteration.
Food manufacturing units should be inspected periodically to ensure compliance with food safety standards. At the same time, public awareness should be raised to promote clean eating habits and a healthy lifestyle.
The meeting was attended by Additional Mission Director of NHM, Director of Public Health, Director of RCH, and other senior officials. Chief Medical and Health Officers and other district-level officials also joined via video conferencing.
