With temperatures constantly rising and long-term forecast of mercury levels remaining above 41° Celsius, The Department of Medical and Health is taking all precautions in the district and through awareness programmes driving home salient points of avoiding a heatstroke.
There were two sunstroke or heatstroke-related deaths in the district in 2018, but 15 more claims were made. District Medical and Health Officer K.V.N.S. Anil Kumar told The Hindu that a three-man committee of Sub-Inspector, Medical Officer and Tahsildar check the veracity of the claim to settle benefit under Apatbandhu Scheme. Of the 15 cases, 12 were found false and three were under investigation.
The first level of impact was, heat exhaustion with headache as main symptom; second level of impact was heatstroke with muscle cramps and weakness as indication; and third degree of impact will be feeling excess thirst and turning unconscious. Even those remaining in air-conditioned chambers and coming out for short duration in 40°C or above need to maintain their electrolyte balance by consuming Oral Rehydration Solution along with sufficient quantity of water.
“We receive ISRO SDSC-SHAR Forecast and NDMA Heat Index guidelines regularly for a week ahead with mandal as a unit and indicated temperatures show the gravity of the likely condition and we prepare our plan for a precautionary exercise,” he said showing the data till Sunday that indicated mercury level to remain below 42° Celsius but above 41°C. Majority of the mandals were under ‘Extreme Caution’ condition. ‘Danger and ‘Extreme Danger’ were the two other categories that are usually indicated in case the temperatures go above 43° Celsius.
ORS packets
The DM&HO has stocked five lakh packets of ORS with PHCs, Asha Workers, Coordinators at NREGS worksites, with long-distance APSRTC bus drivers, ANM personnel, maintained another nine lakh units at district headquarters and another five lakh units have been requisitioned for use in next month.
Immunisation schedules have been advanced, NREGS workers asked to stop work after 11.30 a.m. Anganwadi Centres have been stocked with ORS as children and senior citizens would be the first to be affected. District has 23 Mobile Medical Units and they visit 48 villages a day and spread awareness and provide ORS, where needed.
