Rohit Shishodia

The ongoing heatwave in India, considered to be one of the most intense seen in over a century, has put the health of over one billion people in jeopardy.

Heat waves, though common in India during summer months, often relieved by sporadic rains and hailstorms, which lash across the country, remained absent in the northern plains this year.

Data from the Ministry of Earth Sciences indicate that the spring heat waves have been increasing in recent years with 12 of the country’s 15 warmest years on record having occurred since 2006.

It may be recalled that a June 2015 heatwave killed more than 2,000 people.

The unprecedented situation prompted the union health ministry to direct states and Union Territories to properly manage cases of heatwaves in healthcare settings.

Certain self-interventions like drinking adequate fluids, eating fruits, wearing light and loose-fitting clothes and bringing down the body temperature by placing a wet towel over the body of a person suffering from heatstroke can mitigate the severe impacts of heatwaves, doctors of Delhi’s Safdarjung hospital said.

Sharing his thoughts, Prof Jugal Kishore, Director-Head, Department of Community Medicine, said, “In heat stroke the body heats up so much that it stops producing sweat, due to which the affected person loses consciousness and start suffering from seizures.”

Delay in providing early treatment can result in the patient slipping to coma and eventual death,” he added.

“At the individual level, the affected person should be removed from the sun and shifted to any spot where he can be provided with some coolness. Sponging the body with a towel dipped in cold water can help by bringing down body temperatures in such a situation. Applying ice above his or her neck can help in preventing brain damage,” Dr Kishore further said.

He pointed out that a number of people lose their lives due to heatstroke each year, which remains unreported, he said, “Heat or cold waves are like disasters.”

“Government is concerned about heatwave cases and it has directed hospitals to keep all the equipment and logistics such as IV drips and drugs,” Dr Kishore emphasised.

Dr Rajesh Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplants, Safdarjung Hospital, said that heat stroke largely impacts children, elders and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

He added that such patients suffer from dehydration, resulting in other body organs getting involved unless they are provided with immediate medical attention.

“Heatstroke can trigger pre-renal conditions and means the kidney gets less supply of blood. If it is not treated in time the disease can progress and result in different complications,” Dr Kumar said.