Chandigarh, May 23
With Punjab reeling under soaring temperatures, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has reaffirmed the state’s readiness to tackle extreme heat. He announced that all Civil Surgeons have been directed to operationalize dedicated Heat Stroke Management Units in District Hospitals, Sub‑Division Hospitals and Community Health Centres. These wards, he said, are clearly marked and equipped with active cooling measures such as ice packs and cold IV fluids, while essential medical supplies including ORS and emergency drugs are fully stocked. Ambulance services have also been strengthened to provide pre‑hospital cooling during transit.
The minister underlined that the state is using the IHIP portal for real‑time monitoring of Heat‑Related Illness (HRI) cases, while District Task Force meetings are coordinating heat action plans with Education, Labour, and Transport departments. He urged citizens—particularly the elderly and children—to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines issued by the health department.
The advisory stresses that people must stay hydrated by drinking water every 20–30 minutes and using ORS, lassi or lemon water. They should dress in light‑colored, loose‑fitting cotton clothes and cover their heads with umbrellas, hats or towels. Outdoor work should be scheduled only during cooler morning or evening hours, while diets should include water‑rich fruits like watermelon, oranges and cucumbers, taken in small, frequent meals. Indoors must be kept cool with curtains, fans, and proper ventilation, and employers are instructed to provide shaded rest areas and safe drinking water for outdoor laborers.
Equally important are the precautions against risky behavior. Citizens are advised to avoid going out between 12 PM and 3 PM unless absolutely necessary and to limit dehydrating drinks such as tea, coffee, alcohol and sugary sodas. Heavy, fried, spicy or stale food should be avoided and strenuous exercise during peak heat hours is strongly discouraged. The advisory also warns against leaving children or pets inside parked vehicles.
The department has listed emergency symptoms that require immediate medical attention: a body temperature of 40°C or higher, confusion, seizures or altered mental state, hot and dry red skin, severe headache, nausea or rapid heartbeat. For urgent assistance, citizens can reach out to helplines 104, 108, or 112.
