City hospitals see spike in cases of heat-related illnesses

Hospitals across the national capital have been seeing a surge in patients due to the intense heatwave in the last few days, doctors said on Thursday. People who work directly under the sun are more affected by the heatwave, for which a red alert has been issued in Delhi.

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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 consultation for related symptoms, said Dr Avi Kumar, senior consultant of pulmonology at the hospital.

“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, the authorities have designated a separate area for patients who are working under the sun.

“The patients coming in are rickshaw-pullers, drivers and labourers, mostly those who are engaged in manual work. Patients come in with complaints of abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration and 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 dizziness, dry flushed skin, disorientation and gastrointestinal discomfort.

He stressed that recognising the symptoms and implementing preventive measures is 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.