Heatwave Deaths In India: The heatwave that has gripped a large part of the country has proved to be fatal. According to the Health Ministry, 143 people died between March 1 and June 20 due to heatwave and about 41789 people have suffered from suspected heat stroke. The number of deaths due to heatwave is likely to be higher as the data compiled by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) under the National Heat Related Illness and Death Surveillance does not include updated information provided by the states.
14 people died in one day due to heat stroke
Many medical centres have not yet uploaded the number of people who have died due to heat stroke. According to official figures, 14 deaths have been confirmed due to heat stroke on 20 June itself. Nine people died due to suspected heat stroke, taking the death toll due to heat stroke from 114 to 143 in the period from March to June.
How many deaths occurred in which state
According to the data, Uttar Pradesh is the worst affected with 35 deaths, followed by Delhi (21) and Bihar-Rajasthan (17-17). Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday (June 20) asked officials to visit hospitals under the Centre as long as the scorching heat continues, to find out if separate arrangements have been made for the affected patients or not. Also, the number of deaths due to heat wave in the last few days can be assessed.
Large parts of north and east India have been reeling under heatwaves for a long time, leading to a rise in heat stroke deaths. In view of this, the Centre has had to issue advisories to hospitals to set up special units for people falling ill due to the scorching heat. Union Minister JP Nadda had on Wednesday directed that special heatwave units be started in all central government hospitals.
Arrangements increased in hospitals
Along with this, the Health Minister also directed the officials to ensure that the hospitals provide the best treatment to the people affected by the heat. He reviewed the preparedness of the hospitals to deal with heat stroke. Under the instructions of the Union Health Minister, the Ministry of Health has issued a consultation for the State Health Department on Heat Wave 2024. The Health Ministry has said that health departments should ensure preparedness and timely response to reduce the health effects of extreme heat.
In the consultation, the state nodal officers under the National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) have been asked to start releasing the data of heat stroke cases and deaths and total deaths daily from March 1. Along with this, their information should also be made available under heat-related illness and death surveillance.
It also provides instructions to procure and supply adequate quantities of ORS packs, essential medicines, IV fluids, ice packs and equipment to prepare health centres for prevention and management.