Ensure health facilities info on heat-related illnesses, deaths on portal: HM

Amid unusual rise in temperatures in some places ahead of the summer season the Union health ministry has written to all states and Union territories asking them to ensure that all their health facilities update information on heatrelated illnesses and deaths on the designated portalDrawing attention to National Action Plan on Heat Related Illnesses which is available on website of National Centre for Disease Control NCDC the ministry requested for dissemination of guidance document to all districts for effective preparedness of health department and health facilities to address heat impact and management of cases arising because of it record maintenance and surveillance etcFrom March 1 daily surveillance on heatrelated illnesses under National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health NPCCHH in all states and districts will be conducted on Integrated Health Information Platform IHIP Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in the letter to all states and Union territoriesPlease ensure that all the health facilities participate using existing Pform level login information and continue to keep line lists of cases and deaths as per the prescribed formats Bhushan saidIn the letter Bhushan also urged all states and Union territories to review health facility preparedness for availability of adequate quantities of essential medicines intravenous fluids ice packs ORS and all necessary equipmentAlso readMaharashtra Budget CM Shinde assures govt support to farmers says 238 lakh MT of onion procured so farAvailability of sufficient drinking water at all health facilities and continued functioning of cooling appliances in critical areas must be ensured he saidTemperatures have already touched unusual high at some places in the country and substantial deviations from expected normal temperatures for this time of the year are also being reported from some states and districts Bhushan saidThe daily heat alerts which are being shared by NPCCHH NCDC Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with states indicate forecast of heat wave for next few days and may be disseminated promptly at district and health facility level he wroteHe asked the state district and city health departments to ensure implementation of heatrelated health action plans and support in planning managing and assessing response to heat along with responding agenciesBhushan further stressed that health departments of the state must continue efforts on sensitization and capacity building of medical officers health staff grassroot level workers on heat illness its early recognition and managementHealth facility preparedness must be reviewed for availability of adequate quantities of essential medicines intravenous fluids ice packs ORS and all necessary equipmentHealth facilities need to increase resilience to extreme heat by arranging uninterruptedelectricity for constant functioning of cooling appliances installation of solar panels whereverfeasible energy conservation measures and measures to reduce indoor heat through coolgreen roof NDMA guidelines may be referred window shades shade outside etc Rain water harvesting and recycling plants may also be explored for selfsufficiency in waterHe also urged states to utilize information education and communication as well as community level awareness materials developed by NPCCHH regarding the precautions to be taken by population to safeguard themselves against heat waveBhushan further shared a standard template of public health advisory incorporating dos and donts prepared by NCDC with the letterThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever