BHUBANESWAR: With heat wave conditions beginning to become more pronounced in the State, the Government has issued advisories to the districts to be on alert and prepared to prevent and control heat stroke incidence in the population.
With mercury level soaring, the Health and Family Welfare Department on Thursday asked the medical colleges and hospitals, DHHs and hospitals at the grassroots to activate their systems to tackle heat wave related emergencies.
As the Met Department has given indications about rise in temperatures, Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak ordered opening of special heat stroke cells across all Government-run hospitals and health institutions from medical colleges to the PHC level.
Special beds would have to be immediately readied for the purpose and wards should be equipped with air conditioners, coolers and fans. Adequate lifesaving medicines, salines, ice blocks and ORS powders should be stocked at hospitals as well as at the level of ANMs, Ashas and field health workers.
Temperatures have already risen above 40 degrees in several districts over the last few days. The interior and arid Western Odisha regions have already shown signs of heat wave conditions with the coal belt of Talcher crossing 43 degrees and Bhawanipatna and Titlagarh surpassing 42 degrees. More than 11 districts have climbed over 40 degrees in the last few days.
The Minister directed district health authorities to open emergency control rooms and keep watch on temperature behaviour and heat wave conditions. Daily situation reports should be sent to the State authorities. Besides, community awareness and sensitisation programmes on prevention measures should be immediately undertaken, Nayak stressed.
Heat stroke has been claiming many lives in Odisha every year. The calamity had unleashed its vicious force on people of the State in 1998 when 2,042 people had succumbed. However, there has been a reduction in casualties due to greater awareness among people and better preparatory measures by the Government. In 2012, around 32 people had died while the number was 17 and 15 in 2013 and 2014 respectively.