Delhi: Five dead due to heatstroke in Safdarjung hospital

Amid the intense heatwave grappling the national capital, five people lost their lives due to heatstroke on Wednesday in Safdarjung Hospital. As many as 15 patients related to heatwave have been admitted so far in the day.

Notably, Hospitals in Delhi are witnessing a rising influx of patients related to heatstroke. Casualties are also on the rise as the brutal heat wave continues to torture the national capital.

Five other dead in RML Hospital

In the last two days, the Centre-run RML Hospital received 22 patients. Meanwhile, there were five reported deaths and 12 to 13 patients were on ventilator support.

"The victims did not have any co-morbidities. When such people come to the hospital, their core body temperature is recorded and, if it is found more than 105 degrees Fahrenheit and there is no other cause, they are declared as heatstroke patients. Those who succumb to heatstroke are declared as 'suspected heatstroke'. There is a committee of the Delhi government that later confirms the deaths," a senior hospital official said.

Considering the rising cases, the hospital has set up a first-of-its-kind heatstroke unit to ensure immediate cooling of the body. "A total of 22 patients have been admitted to the hospital and five have lost their lives due to suspected heatstroke. 12 patients are on ventilators and in critical situation. The majority of patients are labourers who work in extreme conditions," the hospital official said. 

Governments swing into action

As the cases are rising, the government at both the centre and Delhi have directed the officials to scale up the preparations in the hospitals. Earlier today, Union Health Minister JP Nadda reviewed the heatwave situation and preparedness of the central government hospitals. In line with that, he directed the officials to ensure that all hospitals are prepared to provide the best healthcare to the affected. He also directed the hospitals to start special heatwave units. 

The Ministry of Health has also issued an advisory to all States and UTs seeking to start the daily submission of data on heatstroke cases and deaths and total deaths from March 1, 2024. The advisory directs the states and UTS to make the public aware of precautions to be taken to safeguard against extreme heat waves.

Apart from the Central government, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also held an emergency meeting on Wednesday with the hospitals and reviewed the situation. He directed them to scale up beds for the patients coming with heat-related illnesses.

The meeting also navigated through the possibilities of including Delhi Police beat officers and patrolling teams in shifting homeless to shelter homes in case they are found on the footpath. In a post on X, Bharadwaj said, "Chaired an emergency meeting with heads of all major hospitals regarding Heat stroke patients Delhi Police beat officers/ patrolling teams will be requested help in shifting homeless to shelter homes in case they are lying under open sky. Department is sending communication to Delhi Police Commissioner to ask their patrolling teams to call Ambulances in case their teams spot destitute is running high fever or sick."

"Hospitals to scale up the beds for patients of heat related illnesses. Circular issued to Hospitals & CATS Ambulance service. Fresh advisory to be advertised in Radio and Newspapers," the minister added.

Suspicious deaths in Delhi NCR

As the heatstroke is hitting the country, there are also some casualties that are suspected to be out of heatstroke. In Ghaziabad, as many as 15 people died in the last two days in the Government Hospital. The scorching heatwave is likely the cause of these deaths. In the last three days, a total of 40 people have died in the MMG District Hospital in Ghaziabad. Subsequently, A committee of three doctors has been formed to look into the matter and ascertain the exact cause of these deaths. Earlier on June 18, Noida Police found seven dead bodies across the city without any injury marks on their bodies. The dead included ragpickers among others who at the first instance were thought of having died due to severe heatwave.