PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
In view of the rising temperatures and prevailing heat wave like conditions in some parts of the State, the Health department has come into an alert mode. The National Health Mission (NHM) has instructed all district magistrates and chief medical officers to ensure the prevention and effective management of heat-related illnesses.
The administration and the CMOs have been issued to establish heatstroke rooms in district and sub-district hospitals across the State. Emphasis has been placed on strictly enforcing the ‘cool first, then transport’ protocol to save the lives of critically ill patients. Further, it has been mandated that there is 100 per cent availability of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), electrolytes and other essential medications.
Officials stated that to monitor the impact of heat waves, daily reporting has been mandatory since March 1, 2026. All district units are required to upload reports of heat-related cases to the IHIP platform. The Health department has made it clear that any laxity in data quality and timely reporting will not be tolerated.
The advisory identifies infants, pregnant women, the elderly and outdoor workers as the most vulnerable groups. Special awareness campaigns have been directed toward these populations. People are advised to avoid sun exposure between noon and 3 PM, wear light cotton clothing, and stay hydrated. Additionally, individuals arriving from cooler regions are advised to allow 10-15 days for acclimatisation.
Officials have also stated that outdoor gatherings are advised to avoid scheduling events during the afternoon and to ensure adequate drinking water is available for everyone.
Hospitals have been instructed to exercise special caution, given the potential increase in electrical load with rising temperatures. Electrical load audits have been conducted in all sensitive areas, including ICUs and it has been mandated that smoke detectors and fire fighting systems are operational, they added.
The Health secretary Sachin Kurve said that the State government is committed to address the heat wave challenge and has instructed all districts to prepare in advance. He added that heatstroke rooms, the availability of essential medicines, and the deployment of trained medical staff are being ensured in hospitals.
Kurve averred that preventing deaths from heat-related illnesses is the government’s top priority. To this end, surveillance systems have been strengthened and daily reports are being sought from all districts. He also appealed to the general public to follow the guidelines issued by the Health department, particularly avoiding midday sun exposure and drinking adequate amounts of water.
The mission director NHM, Manuj Goyal stated that micro-level planning is underway across the State to address the heat wave. All health facilities have been placed on alert, ensuring the availability of necessary resources and real-time monitoring is being conducted through the IHIP portal to enable immediate action in case of any emergency.
