36 heat-related deaths this year: Govt to LS

New Delhi: Thirty-six people have died due to heat-related ailments in the country this year till June 9, Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey told the Lok Sabha on Friday.

Citing data by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Choubey said 25 people died in 2018, 384 in 2017 and 1,111 in 2016 due to heat-related ailments.

Responding to a question on whether the government has set up infrastructure in government hospitals to deal with patients suffering from heat wave-related problems, Choubey said the primary responsibility of heat wave management rests with the states and the state governments concerned are required to undertake necessary measures as per their relief codes/relief manuals.

He said they are required to set up infrastructure in government hospitals to deal with patients suffering from heat wave-related ailments.

In 2016, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued guidelines for 'Preparation of Action Plan Prevention and Management of Heat Wave'. The NDMA issued revised guidelines in 2017.

The Health Ministry had also issued guidelines on 'Prevention and Management of Heat-related Illness' in 2015.

All states, UT governments and ministries concerned are required to take the necessary action as per the guidelines issued by the NDMA, the minister said.