Karnataka Acts Against Heat Stroke: Dedicated Rooms in Health Facilities

The Karnataka government has ordered state-run health institutions to create specialized 'heat stroke management rooms' to mitigate the dangers posed by extreme weather, according to officials.

In a recent directive, the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare Services mandated that community health centers allocate two beds, taluk hospitals five beds, and district hospitals ten beds specifically for managing heat stroke cases. These facilities, part of the National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illnesses, will be operational from March 1 through July 31 annually, extending through 2026.

The circular stipulates that all doctors and paramedical personnel undergo thorough training on managing heat-related illnesses. Additionally, health institutions are required to establish ORS corners and provide essential amenities such as fans, ice cubes, and thermometers in these rooms. Daily reports on heat-related illness cases have to be submitted via the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). The health department emphasized that these strategies aim to prevent heat stroke complications and fatalities as temperatures climb. Compliance reports on the implementation are also mandatory, instructed the circular.