Treat patients of heatstroke on priority, govt tells hospitals

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government’s health department on Thursday issued an advisory to all its hospitals, asking them to provide immediate treatment to patients suffering

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government’s health department on Thursday issued an advisory to all its hospitals, asking them to provide immediate treatment to patients suffering from symptoms of heat stroke.

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“Due to persistent high temperature prevailing in the city since last week, cases of heat stroke due to prolonged exposure to high temperature is expected to increase. Hospital authorities are directed to make necessary arrangements in their emergency department in the form of infrastructure (cooled area), manpower, medicines and IV fluids, ice packs, etc,” read the advisory dated May 18.

This advisory was sent to not just Delhi government hospitals, but all hospitals funded by the government and even private hospitals and nursing homes. “All hospitals, including private and nursing homes, functioning in the National Capital Territory of Delhi are hereby directed to attend to patients suffering from heat stroke and provide them immediate medical treatment,” the advisory read.

Heat stroke is caused due to the failure of the body’s temperature regulating mechanism when exposed to extremely high temperature. The symptoms include fatigue, weakness, nausea, profuse sweating, muscle cramps, rapid shallow breathing, rapid pulse. Heat stroke may cause damage to the brain and other organ systems.