Delhi hospitals see spike in cases of heat-related illnesses
At Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, 7-10 per cent of the total outpatient department (OPD) patients have conditions linked to the heatwave, while 5-8 per cent have sought consultations for related symptoms, said Dr Avi Kumar, senior consultant of pulmonology at the hospital.
People who work directly under the sun are more affected by the heatwave, for which a red alert has been issued in Delhi.
New Delhi, Jun 12 (PTI) Hospitals across the national capital have been seeing a surge in patients due to the intense heatwave of the last few days, doctors said on Thursday.
'The cases that are coming are largely mild and not serious enough to require admission,' the doctor said.
At the Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital, authorities have designated a separate area for patients who are working under the sun.
'The patients coming in are rickshaw-pullers, drivers, labourers, mostly those who are engaged in manual work. Patients come in with complaints of abdominal pain, vomitting, dehydration, dizziness. These cases have increases in the last three days,' the official added.
Concurring with the LNJP official, Dr Mukesh Mehra, senior director of internal medicine at Max Super Speciality Hospital, said patients of heatwave mainly experience symptoms like include dizziness, dry flushed skin, disorientation, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
He stressed that recognising the symptoms and implementing preventive measures is very important.
Doctors warned that elderly individuals, children, and those with chronic conditions are particularly at risk and should take extra precautions.
A red alert, the most severe warning level, was issued for Delhi as the city experiences an extreme heatwave, with temperatures rising between 40.9 and 45.0 degrees Celsius this week.
'Precautionary measures such as staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities during peak hours, wearing light and loose clothing, eating light meals, and remaining in cool environments, must be followed,' Kumar added. PTI SGV SLB SLB SKY SKY
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Heatwave Pushes Hospitals Into Overdrive As OPD Cases Surge Across Delhi-NCR
Last Updated: Experts said the classic symptoms of heat stroke include body temperature over 40 degrees Celsius, rapid heartbeat, confusion, slurred speech, seizures or unconsciousness As northern India endures a brutal heatwave, with temperatures soaring past 45°C and the heat index in Delhi touching an unprecedented 51.9°C, hospitals across the region are reporting a dramatic surge in heat-related illnesses. Outpatient departments (OPDs) are overwhelmed as patients pour in daily with symptoms ranging from dehydration and heat exhaustion to heat stroke. Northern India is currently enduring a punishing heatwave, with the India Meteorological Department issuing red alerts across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. On June 12, New Delhi recorded a heat index as high as 51.9°C. Weather experts caution that nearly 57 per cent of Indian districts are now at high to very-high heat risk, underscoring the intensifying impact of climate change on public health. 'We are witnessing nearly 30 patients coming to us daily with mild and moderate heat-related symptoms such as dehydration and mild fever. Our OPD is seeing a marked increase in heat-related illnesses, ranging from mild dehydration to severe heat stroke," Dr Sanchayan Roy, senior consultant, internal medicine at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chirag Enclave, New Delhi, told News18. Similarly, Dr Arvind Aggarwal from Delhi's Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute told News18 that his hospital is witnessing a 'significant uptick" in cases related to heat-related illnesses in the last 15 days due to heat waves. 'Our OPDs are seeing a 30-40 per cent daily increase in heat-affected patients, mostly elderly with chronic conditions like respiratory, heart, and kidney diseases, and diabetes." In Haryana's Faridabad, emergency rooms are witnessing similar situations. 'Over the past few days, we have seen an alarming rise in patients collapsing from heat-related illnesses. Some arrive in a semi-conscious state, others with core body temperatures soaring above 42°C," said Dr Mohit Sharma, senior consultant, internal medicine at Amrita Hospital. 'Several have required immediate ICU admission and life-saving ventilator support. What worries me is that many of them are young, healthy individuals—outdoor workers, delivery personnel, and daily commuters—people who never imagined that heat could turn fatal." Common symptoms of heat illness include dehydration, diarrhoea, and low blood pressure. It encompasses a spectrum of disorders that arise due to the body's inability to cool down effectively, ranging from mild heat cramps to severe, life-threatening heat stroke. 'Heat exhaustion is common and its symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and muscle cramps. Heat stroke is the main concern, and with high body temperature, it causes confusion, rapid pulse, and potential unconsciousness. If neglected, heat stroke can be life-threatening," Aggarwal from Sri Balaji Action Hospital said, adding that 'many elderly patients are arriving in critical condition". 'Due to the risk of cardiac arrest, particularly in elders and those with pre-existing diseases, treatment includes managing blood pressure first with Norad support before fluid resuscitation." Also, many patients arrive in shock state, requiring careful IV administration. Sharma from Amrita Hospital explained that heat-related illness often begins silently. 'Patients may brush off early signs such as fatigue, a dull headache, excessive sweating, or cramps. This is the first stage—heat exhaustion. But, if left untreated, it progresses rapidly into heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition where the body loses its ability to regulate temperature." Experts said the classic symptoms of heat stroke include body temperature over 40 degrees Celsius, rapid heartbeat, confusion, slurred speech, seizures or unconsciousness, with hot and dry skin with no sweating in advanced cases. 'At this stage, the body is essentially overheating from within, and if not treated within 30 minutes, it can lead to multi-organ failure, brain damage, or death." How is heat stroke treated & prevented? On emergency treatment, Sharma detailed that, 'We cool patients rapidly through ice packs to the neck, armpits, and groin, mist-and-fan cooling, or, where possible, cold water immersion. Intravenous fluids are administered to restore hydration and electrolyte balance." Continuous monitoring of vitals, kidney function, and liver enzymes is essential. In many cases, patients require intensive care for neurological or kidney support. Dr Swapnil M Khadake, head of department, critical care at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital in Vashi, Maharashtra, advised that people should avoid stepping out during peak hours (11 am to 4 pm), along with drinking water and oral rehydration fluids every one to two hours. 'People should opt for loose, breathable cotton clothes and stay in shaded or air-cooled spaces. They should also look out for early signs of heat stress in children and the elderly." Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Delhi weather heat stroke heatwave Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 13, 2025, 17:09 IST News india Heatwave Pushes Hospitals Into Overdrive As OPD Cases Surge Across Delhi-NCR
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Lift failure, no ACs: At Delhi's GTB Hospital, patients and doctors suffer amid infra crisis
Last week, doctors at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital were forced to reschedule two surgeries as patients could not be brought up to the operation theatre (OT). Hospital staff had to carry a dead patient's body on their shoulders to the ground floor. The reason? Non-functional lifts at the hospital, one of the Delhi government's biggest facilities. The issue came to light after officials from the hospital raised the matter with the Public Works Department (PWD) to repair the lifts. According to doctors from the hospital, the lifts remain dysfunctional most of the time, causing trouble for patients, doctors and staff. 'This is not new. We often face this issue where the lifts don't work and are very slow. We have seven lifts — at a time, only two or three work, and, sometimes, even they go out of service,' said a senior resident doctor from the hospital. He said that recently, a patient had to stay outside the OT for 12 hours post-operation because the lift was not working, and he could not be shifted to the ward. 'When he became mobile, he walked on his own and was shifted to the ward,' the doctor claimed. The Indian Express visited the hospital on Wednesday to take stock of the situation and found that five lifts were not working, including in the casualty, OPD, and ward block. The six-floor hospital with 1,000 beds sees approximately 6,000 patients per day. The hospital has operation theatres on multiple floors, making it a task for doctors and staff to move surgery patients due to dysfunctional lifts. The doctor quoted above added that those who come in for an emergency face a tough time when in need of surgery. 'The lifts are dysfunctional in multiple wards, including casualty, OPD and ward blocks. Sometimes, when they work, they don't stop on all floors,' he said. A senior doctor, on condition of anonymity, said so far, no repairs have been made to resolve the issue. 'The concerns are genuine and need attention,' he said. Another issue was air conditioners at the hospital — they were either not working or were not available in several wards. 'Patients have to stay in the wards in a miserable condition with just a fan in such hot weather,' said a doctor deployed on ward duty. In wards 17 and 24, patients were seen using hand fans. For the past week, the city has experienced heatwave conditions, with temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius, which are likely to persist in parts of Delhi till June 14. Isolated areas in the city have already experienced four consecutive days of a heatwave. Anil Gosain (48), who has been admitted to the hospital after a leg injury, said it is becoming unbearable for him to stay in Ward No. 17. 'There is no cooler or AC… we asked the nurse but they said nothing can be done,' he added, as he sits with a plastered right leg. Before this, Anil was taken to another ward where a dessert cooler was functional, but he was shifted to this ward later. Vinod Kumar (48), whose wife was admitted to the ward after a kidney stone surgery, said even water has to be brought from outside as there is no drinking water facility in the ward despite the heat. 'In this temperature, there is no AC or cooler or even drinking water. I am trying to take my wife home as soon as possible,' he said. Earlier in March, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conducted a surprise inspection at the hospital in East Delhi and questioned the health model of the previous government. Gupta claimed the facility has turned into a 'dumping ground' with 'unused medical equipment' and 'incomplete hospital infrastructure'. GTB Hospital officials remained unavailable for comment. Naveen Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, said that he is not aware of the complaint and that he will look into it.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria, wife rushed to IGMC Shimla after experiencing ‘discomfort', discharged later
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and his wife, Anita Kataria, were rushed to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, on Thursday night after they complained of uneasiness at their official summer residence, Hem Kunj, located near the Retreat in Chharabra, Shimla. While Governor Kataria was discharged after preliminary medical treatment, Anita was kept under observation overnight and discharged on Friday morning. The couple subsequently returned to Chandigarh. Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla visited IGMC on Friday morning to enquire about their health. Dr Rahul Rao, Medical Superintendent at IGMC, told The Indian Express, 'The Punjab governor and his wife were brought in after experiencing discomfort. A detailed examination indicated symptoms of high-altitude sickness. They had travelled directly from the plains, where the temperature exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, to a much cooler location—over 10 degrees lower than Chandigarh. The Punjab Governor was discharged last night, while his wife was kept under observation as a precaution and discharged this morning. Their medical reports were normal.' Chharabra is a suburb situated approximately 8,250 feet (2514 m) above sea level in Shimla district. Meanwhile, Chandigarh is situated on an average elevation of 1,053 ft (321 m). Sources said the couple experienced difficulty in breathing and general discomfort, following which they were brought to IGMC around 9 pm.
