Surat hospitals on alert as heatstroke cases rise

Surat: With temperatures soaring, city hospitals are stepping up preparations to manage a potential surge in heatstroke cases. In response to the growing threat, the state govt recently issued an advisory directing hospitals to remain vigilant for heat-related illnesses.

Acting swiftly, the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research(SMIMER) has introduced a specialized ice-pack treatment facility for critical patients.

"As part of emergency care, bathtubs have been installed in the casualty ward where patients in critical condition will be surrounded with ice packs to rapidly reduce their body temperature," a SMIMER official explained. "Once stabilized, they will be shifted to other wards for further treatment."

The ice-pack method targets specific points on the body to effectively bring down high temperatures. SMIMER has arranged for multiple setups to handle more than one patient at a time, anticipating increased cases as the heatwave intensifies.

In 2024, several deaths due to heatstroke were reported in Surat, with at least six individuals found with sustained body temperatures exceeding 106°F—an alarming and unusual indicator.

"During the summer of 2024, several people living in the open suffered severe heat-related complications. The city's civic body had to shift many of them to shelter homes," the official added.

Further measures include keeping air-conditioned wards ready for patients with heat-related ailments, and placing air coolers in waiting areas for patients and their families.

Health officials are also coordinating with private hospitals and doctors to ensure preparedness. Public awareness campaigns are being carried out, urging residents to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, especially during peak afternoon hours.