State equips ambulances with TACO technique for heatstroke treatment

Jaipur: With the state reporting 160 heatstroke cases over the past month, the health department has launched educational videos on heatstroke treatment using the TACO (tarp assisted cooling with oscillation) technique to assist people suffering from heatstroke. All ambulances operating under the govt have been directed to carry ice boxes and ice packs, along with a tarp, to immediately use them when encountering a heatstroke case.

The TACO method involves lifting each corner of a tarp to create a sling, immersing the person in cool water and ice up to their chest, and gently oscillating the mixture to initiate cooling.

A plastic tarp held by staff members serves as the container for cold water while the patient sits or lies in the middle. EMRI-GHS is a firm roped in by the state govt for running govt ambulances. The firm's state head Madhusudan Bhomia said, "We have provided training to our emergency medical technician (EMT) deployed in the ambulances on how to treat patients with TACO." He said, "Arrangements have also been made for providing patients with ORS and glucose in the ambulance."

"It is mandatory for all ambulances to carry ice boxes and ice packs for TACO. The heatwave causes life-threatening heatwave-related illnesses (HRI). Heatstroke patients need immediate treatment. We have issued directions to all the chief medical health officers to ensure that all ambulances are equipped with ice packs along with a tarp for TACO. The technique is quite useful and lifesaving. Such patients need to be transported to hospitals for immediate treatment. We have made proper arrangements for the treatment of such patients in hospitals," said Dr Narrottam Sharma, state nodal officer (climate change), health department.