Bengaluru, April 25: The state government on Friday directed to set up separate ‘heat stroke wards’ in all hospitals as a precautionary measure as the temperature is increasing day by day in the state, officials said.
In a circular issued by the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare Services, it has been said that community health centres should set aside a two-bed heat stroke wards, taluk hospitals a five-bed heat stroke wards and district hospitals a 10-bed heat stroke wards.
The circular issued under the National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illnesses states that these facilities should be operational every year from May 1 to July 31, inclusive, 2026.
All doctors and paramedical staff have been advised to undergo training in the management of heat-related illnesses (HRI).
All health institutions have also been directed to set up ORS corners and equip heat stroke management rooms with necessary facilities like fans, ice cubes and thermometers.
All health facilities at all levels have been instructed to submit daily reports on HRI cases through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), the circular said.
The measures are aimed at preventing heat stroke-related complications and deaths amid rising temperatures, the health department said.