Hosps must report heat illness: Govt

Under action plan, healthcare facilities required to set up wards for heatstroke patients

- ASHISH SRIVASTAVA @ New Delhi

THE Delhi government on Monday unveiled a comprehensive heat action plan to combat the increasing health risks associated with extreme heat.

In a significant move, all hospitals have now been directed to mandatorily report cases of heat-related illnesses (HRIs), a step aimed at strengthening surveillance and enabling timely medical interventions.

Under the new guidelines, all government healthcare facilities across the city (Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, district hospitals and medical colleges) will be required to set up dedicated wards and earmark beds specifically for patients suffering from heatstroke. As per the action plan, these wards are to be located in cooler areas of the hospitals and equipped with essential supplies like ice packs, thermometers, blood pressure apparatus, oral rehydration salts (ORS), intravenous fluids, and cooling equipment such as fans and air conditioners.