New Delhi: Dr. Atul Goyal, DGHS, Union Health Ministry A virtual meeting was held with States/UTs to assess preparedness for heatwave conditions, fire and electrical safety measures adopted by various healthcare facilities across the country.

According to the long range forecast issued by IMD on 27 May 2024, it is forecast that June 2024 is likely to have above normal monthly maximum temperatures over most parts of the country, except some parts of southern peninsular India, where temperatures are likely to be below normal. During June, most parts of northwest India and adjoining parts of central India are likely to have warmer than normal days.

The following instructions have been sent to the State Health Departments:

• Advice for State Health Departments, Guidelines on Strengthening Health Systems Preparedness heat-related illnesses (HRI)
• A Public Health Advisory (PHA) with do’s and don’ts and IEC poster templates.
• guidance Emergency Cooling For severe heat-related illnesses.
• Guidelines on postmortem findings in case of heat-related deaths were circulated to all AIIMS and medical colleges across the country.
• Joint communication by Secretary (Health), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and NDMA and communication by DGHS on healthcare facilities Fire safety measures,
• Checklist for assessing health facility and ambulance preparedness to prevent and manage the health impacts of heat. Through a letter sent on 23 March 2024, States/UTs have been requested to take proactive steps to prevent catastrophic events caused by extreme heat. This was followed by another letter sent on 29 May 2024 asking them to take all preventive measures with regard to fire safety.

The following detailed steps and measures to be taken by the States/UTs were reiterated in the meeting:

• Implementation of heat health action plan
• Dissemination of heat wave early warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD)
• Assessment of preparedness of all health care facilities and ambulances for prevention and management of HRI
• Strengthening surveillance of heat-related illness and death at IHIP
• Dedicated heat stroke rooms in all health care facilities
• Issuing health advisories and planning IEC activities
• Sensitization and capacity building of health officials and health care workers on reporting of HRI symptoms, case identification, clinical management, emergency cooling and surveillance.
• Healthcare facility resilience to extreme heat
• Preparation for HRI-focused mass gathering/sports event
• Conducting regular preventive fire risk assessment exercises to identify potentially vulnerable areas
• Implementing appropriate fire prevention measures, such as proper storage of flammable materials and regular and optimal preventive maintenance of electrical circuits and systems.
• Provide training to employees on fire safety protocols, evacuation procedures and use of fire fighting equipment.
• Installation and optimal maintenance of fire detection and suppression systems, including smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and sprinklers.
• Establishing an emergency response plan with SOPs for evacuation of patients, staff and visitors in the event of an untoward event of fire.
• Most importantly, conduct mock emergency exercises regularly without any compromise.

State Level Preparations:

It was reported that high-level officials of all States/UTs are closely monitoring the situation. States like Madhya Pradesh have conducted mock-drills on fire-safety accidents in all government and private hospitals. Urban administration and engineering departments were coordinated to conduct mock drills on fire safety. Code red protocols have also been issued. Heat wave control rooms have been set up across the state in Odisha. Dastak (door-to-door) campaigns are being conducted in Uttar Pradesh to increase awareness among people. Fire safety officers have been identified in almost all healthcare facilities in this state. Haryana has made dedicated financial allocation to ensure essential medicines and logistics in all hospitals. health care facilitiesIn Rajasthan, ambulances attached to 104 and 108 have been fitted with cooling equipment. In West Bengal, fire safety certificates from the fire department are being ensured and mock drills are being conducted. In Bihar, coordination with the State Disaster Management Authority is on to prevent incidents of fire in healthcare facilities. Delhi too has issued instructions and SOPs for fire fighting systems to all government and private hospitals. If fire NOC is not available even in small facilities in government or private institutions, it has been made mandatory to maintain a fire evacuation plan and fire fighting system.