Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will review heatwave preparedness with the affected states through video conferencing at noon today, health ministry sources said.
Mandaviya on Tuesday, while chairing a high-level meeting in the state capital to review public health preparedness to deal with heat conditions prevailing in parts of the country, said a team of officers would be sent to states experiencing heat waves to help the state government.
“A team of experts from the Union Health Ministry, ICMR, IMD and NDMA will visit the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to support them in public health response measures to address heat-related diseases,” the minister said.
Underscoring the importance of firm and timely preparedness through awareness and early action, Mandaviya directed the ICMR to conduct research on how to minimize the health impact of heat waves, with specific short-, medium- and long-term action plans.
“Ahead of the summer season, the Center has taken early measures to tackle heat wave-related diseases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting in March to review preparedness ahead of the summer season, while the Union Health Ministry issued a heat wave alert in February.” where states have been advised to review the preparedness of health facilities in terms of essential drugs, IV fluids, packs, ORS, drinking water and also dissemination of essential IEC materials,” he added.
According to the Health Ministry, during the meeting, Mandaviya was briefed about the heat wave status in various states and the preparedness of central agencies in terms of availability of required supplies and hospital infrastructure to provide timely and effective health services.
The Health Secretary will chair a high-level meeting to review heat management. Bihar on high alert, daily large-scale testing: CM Nitish Kumar on Covid-19 Mansukh Mandaviya opens 2 CGHS centers in Panchkula, Chandigarh.
Mandaviya assesses preparedness for heat waves; team to visit the worst affected states. Rs 2 cr announced for development of villages near accident site in Odisha
He was also informed that daily surveillance of heat diseases under National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) is being done in all states and districts on Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) and all health facilities have been asked to participate by logging in at the Form P level, the ministry said.
The Union Health Minister has asked the IMD to issue daily weather forecasts in a manner that can be easily interpreted and disseminated.
Also present at the meeting were Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), Dr. Rajiv Bahl, NITI Aayog, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), along with experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Many people are suffering from scorching heat across the country. Two people died amid high temperatures in Bihar’s Gaya district at Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College on Monday, the hospital said. A total of 58 patients were admitted to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College on Monday.
