Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently chaired a meeting to assess the public health preparedness for heat-related illnesses in some parts of India. The review was conducted virtually with state health ministers, disaster management ministers, and information commissioners of seven states that are currently experiencing severe heatwave conditions. The meeting emphasized the importance of effective disaster response and management, which can be achieved through coordinated efforts between the Centre and states to ensure that no deaths occur due to heatwaves.
During the review, states were advised to increase resiliency to extreme heat at the health facilities level by ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply, installing solar panels, and reducing indoor heat through various measures. The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and the Union Minister of State for Health were also present at the meeting.
Dr. Mandaviya suggested that timely and effective coordination between the Centre and States can produce desired outcomes, citing the recent preparedness measures for Cyclone Biparjoy. He urged the states to implement the State Action Plans at the ground level with a timely warning to the people and ensure preventive preparedness to reduce the severe impact of heatwaves.
The Minister also advised the States that have not yet prepared the Health Action Plan based on the National Action Plan to do so urgently. He further urged the states to develop training manuals on Heat and Health for State Officials, Medical Officers, and Health Workers.
The review highlighted the importance of accurate data from the ground, and Nityanand Rai urged states to share field-level data on heatwaves, including on deaths and cases. He also highlighted the significance of timely action as soon as IMD alerts are received in the states.
The Health Ministry officials covered the trajectory of the total emergency OPD, suspected and confirmed heatstroke cases and deaths, and their reporting as per the Integrated Health Information Platform. The National Action Plan on Heat Related Illness released in July 2021 outlined the challenges posed by heatwaves, heat-related illnesses, and their management from primary to tertiary level; the SOPs for surveillance of heatstroke cases and deaths; and preparedness plan before and during summer season, with special emphasis on Heat Related Illness (HRI) in vulnerable sections.
States were also reminded of two advisories issued by the Union Health Ministry and were advised to use them to ensure compliance with the National Action Plan on Heat Related Illnesses for effective preparedness of health facilities to address heat impact and management of cases. States were also advised to review health facility preparedness in terms of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, ice-packs, ORS, drinking water, and IEC activity for the public.
