India Gears Up for Heatwave Preparedness: Health Facilities on Alert

With rising temperatures, the Centre has urged states to review the readiness of health facilities for managing heatstroke. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized disseminating guidelines on managing extreme heat and urged health facilities to ensure availability of essential supplies and conduct fire safety audits.

With the mercury rising across India, the Centre has called upon states to prepare their health facilities for an uptick in heatstroke cases and heat-related illnesses.

In a letter, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava cautioned that increased heat exposure, including extreme conditions, is expected with the onset of summer. She highlighted public health guidelines available on the National Centre for Disease Control's website to help states prepare effectively.

Srivastava underscored the importance of adequate medicine supplies and cooling equipment in health facilities and urged adherence to fire safety protocols. Information campaigns are being emphasized to educate the public on precautions against heat waves.