Health Minister orders hospitals to be prepared for heat wave patients

Health Minister Dr Samant Lal Sen has ordered hospitals across the country to be ready to deal with the ongoing heat wave situation in the country.

He gave this order in a virtual meeting with directors and civil surgeons of government hospitals across the country on Sunday (April 21).

Later, while talking to reporters at the conference room of the health ministry, Samant Lal said, “There is a risk of heatstroke during a heat wave. New policies on managing patients who become ill due to the heat wave have been developed and these policies have been disseminated to hospitals.”

The health minister said, “I have asked to keep the hospital ready. If there is pressure, then children and the elderly should be admitted. We have directed hospitals to be prepared for adverse conditions.”

Informing that the hospitals have adequate saline and medicine stock, the minister said, “If there is any deficiency in oral saline anywhere, let me be informed immediately. So far, we have it under control. Nature is not under our control. But what we can do is be ready for any situation.”

A severe heat wave is now blowing over 49 districts of the country. Three districts are experiencing very intense heat waves. Jashore recorded the season's highest temperature of 42.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The maximum temperature in Chuadanga was 42.4 degrees Celsius, and 40.4 degrees Celsius in Dhaka.

The health minister said, "When the message (heat alert) came to me, I spoke to the education minister and arranged to close the school by sending a message to the prime minister, because children and the elderly are most vulnerable."

In response to the question whether the hospitals have enough facilities for children, Samant Lal said, “I went to the Shishu Hospital yesterday. I have instructed hospitals all over the country to provide adequate facilities to children's hospitals. Cold cases have now been asked not to be admitted to hospitals.”

The health minister said, "If there are any symptoms such as cessation of sweating, nausea, severe headache, increased body temperature, reduced urination, burning sensation in urination, convulsions and fainting in hot weather; then I would like to recommend to immediately go to the hospital and seek medical advice.”

He said that online training has started from Sunday with doctors from all over the country to ensure the treatment of children.