Chandigarh: As Chandigarh prepares for an intense summer season, the health department has finalised clinical strategies to manage heat-related emergencies. While the city has yet to record its first official heatstroke patient of the year, medical officials emphasise that the infrastructure is fully operational and ready for an immediate influx.Dr Suman Singh, director health services, UT, confirmed that a dedicated 10-bed unit is now strictly reserved for heatstroke cases. Dr Singh clarified that they will not be adopting the immersion tubs seen in some major hospitals elsewhere; instead, the facility is relying on cold sponging to manage patient temperatures directly at the bedside. “We are fully stocked with intravenous fluids, oral rehydration salts and essential medicines.The emergency at the Govt Multispeciality Hospital relies on coded triage system designed to handle varying degrees of medical urgency. Serious heat-related emergencies, particularly those involving symptoms like mental confusion or altered sensorium, will be directed to a dedicated 20-bed “Red Zone,” while stable yet serious cases will be handled in 20-bed “Yellow Zone”. “Additionally, 12 to 13 beds are available in the observation area at the emergency entrance for initial assessment, and a newly renovated 8-bed High Dependency Unit is expected to become operational within the week to provide intensive care support,” said a doctor in the emergency. He said, “Emergency trays are already stocked with ice packs stored in dedicated refrigerators and first aid kits to combat dehydration and exhaustion.”While heatstroke cases remain at zero till date, hospitals are seeing a routine summer influx of gastroenteritis and diarrhoea. Gastroenterologists advise residents to follow strict hygiene, avoid eating cut fruits and refrain from consuming food from outdoor vendors.
