The District Medical and Health Officers (DMHO) in the State have been asked to stock all healthcare facilities with sufficient number of ORS packets, IV fluids and emergency drugs to attend to people who suffer from heatstroke or any other illness owing to summer heat.
The maximum temperature was recorded in Bhadrachalam on Sunday, which was 38.6 degrees Celsius. According to the Health Department officials, the maximum number of heatstroke cases are reported in mid-May. A set of 16 instructions were issued from the office of Director of Public Health and Family Welfare a few days ago, said DMHOs. The coordination teams would test drinking water for residual chlorine, and any leakages in drinking water pipelines to avoid contamination. They have also been asked to send information on heatstroke cases or deaths, and a list of preventive measures taken, to the Director of Public Health every day.
The DMHOs from the State said they have filed indents to procure ORS packets, which they expect to arrive in a day or two. The health officials have been trained on the basics of heat waves, how the human body reacts when exposed to excess heat and the illnesses that it can give rise to.
They have also been asked to train ASHAs in recognising the symptoms of a heatstroke, and its treatment with ORS and home-based fluids.
“ASHAs will inform people that they should have ORS packets with them. And in case of any emergency, people will be asked to call the ASHA workers for aid. If anyone experiences heatstroke symptoms such as high body temperature, severe headache and vomiting, giddiness, dryness in mouth and lips, they should be immediately given ORS and be taken to a nearest hospital,” said N. Narayan Rao, Medchal DMHO. One ASHA is allotted per 1,000 people in the State.
The health officials added that they have returned the ORS packets which were distributed last year, to the Telangana State Medical Infrastructure and Development Corporation (TSMIDC).
