Ministry of Health and Family Welfare enhances healthcare preparedness amidst rising heatwaves

In response to the escalating threat posed by heatwaves, Union Health Minister J P Nadda has directed a comprehensive review of hospital preparedness nationwide. 

The focus of this initiative is to ensure that hospitals are equipped to provide optimal healthcare during extreme heat conditions. According to the statement, specialised heatwave units will be established in central government hospitals as part of these efforts, aimed at enhancing the healthcare system’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to heat-related health challenges.

The Health Ministry has also issued a detailed advisory outlining strategic guidelines for state health departments under the National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH). This advisory emphasises proactive measures to mitigate heat-related illnesses (HRI), including the dissemination of national action plans and the implementation of heat-health action plans at state and district levels. Additionally, medical officers and healthcare staff are being trained to recognise HRI symptoms, manage emergencies, and report surveillance data effectively.