Amid a sweltering heatwave that has claimed five lives in Delhi and at least ten in Noida, Delhi Health Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj held a meeting with the heads of all major hospitals in the capital. He instructed them to increase the number of patient beds.
In Uttar Pradesh, state authorities reported that at least 44 people have died from heatstroke since May.
Northern India is enduring the longest heatwave in its history, with the southwest monsoon’s advancement stalling despite an early onset in Kerala.
Delhi, the national capital, is also facing a severe water crisis and power outages as the city experiences record-high electricity demand.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that conditions are now favorable for further monsoon advancement, which had stalled between June 12 and 18, prolonging the wait for rains in North India, which is suffering from the extreme heat.
The Delhi Police’s beat officers and patrol teams have been instructed to help move homeless people to shelter homes if they are found on footpaths under the open sky. The Delhi Police Commissioner has directed patrol teams to call ambulances for any sick homeless individuals they encounter.
Hospitals have been told to increase beds for patients suffering from heat-related illnesses. Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that the Delhi government has instructed all healthcare centers to ensure their emergency rooms remain operational 24/7.
A senior doctor must always be present in the emergency ward to handle patients affected by the prolonged heat. Additionally, all necessary medicines for treating such patients must be available in hospitals.
CDMOs are also instructed to ensure that if a patient arrives at a dispensary, they receive immediate treatment and are then transferred to the nearest hospital by ambulance. Healthcare workers must promptly respond to calls for patient admissions and ensure that patients are quickly transferred to the nearest hospitals.
All CATS Department ambulances must remain on high alert around the clock, with some stationed near the most affected areas and shelter homes.
