Deadly heatwave grips UP hospital: 54 lives lost, staff overwhelmed
New Delhi, June 18: A staggering 54 fatalities and approximately 400 hospitalisations have been reported in the last three days at Ballia District Hospital in Uttar Pradesh, attributing the spike to soaring temperatures.
While the causes of these deaths vary, medical professionals suspect that the severe heatwave prevailing in the region could be a contributing factor. The scorching weather conditions, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in most areas, have led to a surge in hospital admissions.
The sudden influx of patients experiencing symptoms such as fever, respiratory distress, and other heat-related complications has overwhelmed the hospital, prompting the medical staff to remain on high alert.
According to SK Yadav, the in-charge Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Ballia, there were 23 fatalities on June 15, followed by 20 the next day, and 11 more on the subsequent day.
Dr BP Tiwari, the Additional Health Director of Azamgarh Circle, stated that a team from Lucknow is being dispatched to investigate the situation and determine if there are any undetected diseases contributing to the fatalities.
Patients suffering from respiratory ailments, diabetes, and high blood pressure are at increased risk during extreme weather conditions, and even a slight rise in mercury levels could potentially lead to fatal outcomes, speculated Dr Tiwari.
The overwhelming rush at the district hospital has resulted in a shortage of stretchers, forcing many attendants to carry patients on their shoulders to the emergency ward. However, the Additional Health Director clarified that while managing ten patients arriving simultaneously can be challenging, the hospital does possess an adequate supply of stretchers.
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- With inputs from agencies
