The health department has issued a directive to all chief medical and health officers (CMHOs) and civil surgeons cum hospital chief superintendents (CS-HCS) to ensure stocks of all basic medicines for treating heatstroke in view of heat wave sweeping across the state.
The doctors have also been advised to spread awareness messages among the people on side-effects of heat wave and preventive steps to be undertaken.
Health department has been asked to keep adequate stock of oral rehydration solution (ORS), intravenous fluids (IV fluids) and basic medicines. The medicine stock should be kept in all sub health centres, district hospitals and medical college hospitals.
The CHMO and CS-CHS have been directed to keep the rapid response team on active mode. They have also been directed to daily send details of those people affected by sun-stroke at directorate of health.
The key symptoms of heat stroke are throbbing headache and muscle weakness or cramps. The other symptoms are dizziness and light-headedness, lack of sweating despite the heat, red-hot and dry skin, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat which may be either strong or weak and rapid, shallow breathing, not feeling hungry and falling unconscious.
Due to heat-wave, amount of water and salts in the body drops. So, one should cover the body and head preferably with cotton clothes.
“Drink maximum water and keep away from heat exposure for longer period. In case of dehydration, ORS liquid should be taken, drink juice, yoghurt.
If health condition deteriorates then approach the nearest hospital for medical advice. For primary advice the free 104 Arogya Sewa Kendra can be contacted,” an advisory issued by the department said.