JAIPUR: While chief minister Ashok Gehlot has appealed to people to take precautions as mercury has gone up across the state, at some places touching 45°C, the health department has asked its officials to keep a stock of medicines up to the level of sub-centres.
The department appealed to people to avoid going out when the heat is at its peak in the afternoons. Also, people have been advised to use fresh food as cases of diarrhoea and other stomach related ailments might increase. One such incident has already been reported three days ago from Dausa district, where at least 22 children of a school were rushed to hospital after theyr complained of diarrhoea and vomiting after consuming midday meal at a government school in Bhojpura Ki Dhani.
Health department officials said heat-related illness encompasses a spectrum of disorders from heat syncope, muscle cramps and heat exhaustion to a life-threatening emergency such as heat stroke. These illnesses arise when there is disruption in regulation of the body’s temperature because heat input from the environment and body metabolism is increased compared with output from the skin via radiation, evaporation and convection.
Health department has issued directions to all the districts to remain prepared for intense summers. In Jaipur too, the health department has started preparation for intense summers. “In each hospital, we have created a corner where patients of heat fatigue can rehydrate as oral rehydration salt, water and other such facilities will be available for the patients,” said Dr Narrottam Sharma, chief medical health officer (Jaipur-I).
He said that the health department is creating awareness through different channels to the people to take necessary precautions for safety from heat. “People should wear full-sleaves cloths, cap and drink a lot of water before going out in the noon or at the time when the heat is at the peak,” the health department advised to the people.
