| What type of list should be maintained at health facilities during heat wave season? | digital line list of heatstroke cases and deaths (suspected/confirmed) | Reporting under Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance • Start daily submission of data on heatstroke cases and deaths, emergency attendance and total deaths from March 01, 2024, on IHIP portal under National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health • Submit data from health facilities, PHC and above, through the designated form (aggregate/patient-level) using P-form level entry • Ensure maintenance of digital line list of heatstroke cases and deaths (suspected/confirmed) at health facility/hospital level in given formats • Undertake “Investigation of Suspected Heat Related Illness Death” by medical officer/epidemiologist for each suspected heat-related illness deaths (attached) (detail in | 415 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769333147_Advisory-for-State-Health-Department-on-heat-wave-season-2024_NPCCHH.pdf | Reporting under Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance • Start daily submission of data on heatstroke cases and deaths, emergency attendance and total deaths from March 01, 2024, on IHIP portal under National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health • Submit data from health facilities, PHC and above, through the designated form (aggregate/patient-level) using P-form level entry • Ensure maintenance of digital line list of heatstroke cases and deaths (suspected/confirmed) at health facility/hospital level in given formats • Undertake “Investigation of Suspected Heat Related Illness | 1 | page=1,block=1 | 0.700 | valid |
| How should the public be guided towards medical check posts and nearest exits? | through detailed map of event site and directions on display | During the event consideration 1. Ensure adequate air circulation, avoid overcrowding pockets at the event site. 2. Identify and monitor the vulnerable population at the event with check points at entry and within the event area; monitoring with help of volunteers/cameras on site. 3. Uniformed medical aid teams with appropriate portable ice boxes, cold water, ORS packets should be mobilised in crowd. 4. Continue good public communication (in terms of broadcast, posters) regarding effects of heat and reminders to stay hydrated and cool. 5. Guide public towards medical check posts, nearest exits through detailed map of event site and directions on display 6. Proper management and documentation of all patients treated for HRI and their follow up after first aid administration. 7. Report heatstroke cases and deaths in Heat-Related Illness and Death surveillance under NPCCHH 8. | 601 | relationship | 0.970 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769333147_Advisory-for-State-Health-Department-on-heat-wave-season-2024_NPCCHH.pdf | Guide public towards medical check posts, nearest exits through detailed map of event site and directions on display 6. |
| To which authority should the health sector heat action plan be sent for incorporation in the State Action Plan on heat wave? | State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) or Relief Commissioner Department | This plan should detail the ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ which shall be in place during heat wave season. • The health sector heat action plan prepared shall be incorporated in State Action Plan for Climate Change and Human Health (SAPCCHH) and a copy of this may be sent to State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) or Relief Commissioner Department for incorporation in State Action Plan on heat wave. 4. | 278 | relationship | 0.970 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769333147_Advisory-for-State-Health-Department-on-heat-wave-season-2024_NPCCHH.pdf | • The health sector heat action plan prepared shall be incorporated in State Action Plan for Climate Change and Human Health (SAPCCHH) and a copy of this may be sent to State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) or Relief Commissioner Department for incorporation in State Action Plan on heat wave. | 1 | page=1,block=1 | 0.700 | valid |
| What should be documented and managed for patients treated for heat-related illnesses? | Proper management and documentation of all patients treated for HRI and their follow up after first aid administration. | During the event consideration 1. Ensure adequate air circulation, avoid overcrowding pockets at the event site. 2. Identify and monitor the vulnerable population at the event with check points at entry and within the event area; monitoring with help of volunteers/cameras on site. 3. Uniformed medical aid teams with appropriate portable ice boxes, cold water, ORS packets should be mobilised in crowd. 4. Continue good public communication (in terms of broadcast, posters) regarding effects of heat and reminders to stay hydrated and cool. 5. Guide public towards medical check posts, nearest exits through detailed map of event site and directions on display 6. Proper management and documentation of all patients treated for HRI and their follow up after first aid administration. 7. Report heatstroke cases and deaths in Heat-Related Illness and Death surveillance under NPCCHH 8. | 665 | summary | 0.970 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769333147_Advisory-for-State-Health-Department-on-heat-wave-season-2024_NPCCHH.pdf | Guide public towards medical check posts, nearest exits through detailed map of event site and directions on display 6. Proper management and documentation of all patients treated for HRI and their follow up after first aid administration. 7. |
| What trend is expected in summertime temperatures for the heat wave season in 2024? | above normal seasonal maximum temperatures | National Centre for Disease Control Directorate Health Services Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 22-Sham Nath Marg, Civil Lines, New Delhi Advisory for State Health Department on Heat Wave Season 2024 The country may observe above normal seasonal maximum temperatures in-line with the observed trend of summertime temperatures. To reduce health impacts of extreme heat, health departments must ensure preparedness and timely response. State Nodal Officers under National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) must ensure following activities: 1. | 230 | summary | 0.970 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769333147_Advisory-for-State-Health-Department-on-heat-wave-season-2024_NPCCHH.pdf | National Centre for Disease Control Directorate Health Services Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 22-Sham Nath Marg, Civil Lines, New Delhi Advisory for State Health Department on Heat Wave Season 2024 The country may observe above normal seasonal maximum temperatures in-line with the observed trend of summertime temperatures. | 1 | page=1,block=1 |
| What is the purpose of district-specific and city-level heat-health action plans? | focused preparedness and response | Dissemination of following guidelines to all districts: • National Action Plan on Heat Related Illnesses, MoHFW • Strengthening Health Systems Preparedness for Heat Related Illnesses (HRI) in India • National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines for preparation of action plan for prevention and management of heat wave. 2. Implement Heat-Health Action Plan, a chapter of State Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health at State level • Support implementation at district-specific and city-level heat-health action plans for focused preparedness and response. 3. Meeting with State and District Task Force on Climate Change and Human Health • Organize a task force meeting for update and approval of the heat-health action plan at State/District levels. | 541 | definition | 0.940 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769333147_Advisory-for-State-Health-Department-on-heat-wave-season-2024_NPCCHH.pdf | Implement Heat-Health Action Plan, a chapter of State Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health at State level • Support implementation at district-specific and city-level heat-health action plans for focused preparedness and response. |
| What should the heat action plan detail for the heat wave season? | ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ | This plan should detail the ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ which shall be in place during heat wave season. • The health sector heat action plan prepared shall be incorporated in State Action Plan for Climate Change and Human Health (SAPCCHH) and a copy of this may be sent to State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) or Relief Commissioner Department for incorporation in State Action Plan on heat wave. 4. | 28 | definition | 0.940 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769333147_Advisory-for-State-Health-Department-on-heat-wave-season-2024_NPCCHH.pdf | This plan should detail the ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ which shall be in place during heat wave season. | 1 | page=1,block=1 | 0.700 | valid |
| What types of heatstroke are commonly observed based on event type? | in mass sporting events exertional heatstroke may be observed, in pilgrimage related mass gathering classic heatstroke may be common. | • Have a general understanding of possible vulnerable population based on event type e.g. in mass sporting events exertional heatstroke may be observed, in pilgrimage related mass gathering classic heatstroke may be common. • Prevent heat related illness (HRIs) through provision of ORS packs, essential medicines, IV fluids, icepacks, and equipments to support management of volume depletion and electrolyte imbalance etc. • Prioritize rapid assessment and rapid cooling of severe heat-related illnesses • Designate safe, accessible area for rapid whole-body cooling of heat exhaustion and heatstroke patients • Identify suitable rapid cooling method based on access to water, shade, venue topography and access, procure equipments (rectal thermometer, ice boxes, ice cubes, cold water, tarp, ice coolers, fans, towels/sheets) and set-up cooling area accordingly • Ensure training of attending medical staff and relevant first-responders in triage, rapid assessment, rapid cooling, medical record keeping, referral and surveillance • Designate and inform nearest referral health facilities that can provide adequate HRI management and cooling facilities. • Keeping ambulance with ice packs and cold water etc to transport serious patients to the nearest equipped health care facility. |
| What departments should be actively engaged to prevent heat-related illnesses during mass gatherings or sporting events? | health departments, other relevant departments, and local administration | 10. HRI-Focused Mass Gathering/Sporting Event Preparedness While organizing mass gathering or sporting events during summer, sufficient preparedness should be made to prevent and manage heat-related illnesses (HRI) through active engagement of health departments, other relevant departments, and local administration. | 244 | list | 0.820 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769333147_Advisory-for-State-Health-Department-on-heat-wave-season-2024_NPCCHH.pdf | HRI-Focused Mass Gathering/Sporting Event Preparedness While organizing mass gathering or sporting events during summer, sufficient preparedness should be made to prevent and manage heat-related illnesses (HRI) through active engagement of health departments, other relevant departments, and local administration. | 3 | page=3,block=1 | 0.700 | valid |
| What environmental factors should be considered when planning an event during heatwave conditions? | heatwave forecasts, high humidity, active heatwave warnings | Event planning considerations ➢ Environmental heat • Check heatwave forecasts, high humidity, active heatwave warnings, consult local IMD centre • Avoid days when active heatwave warnings, high humidity are expected • Avoid planning outdoor events in the hottest time of day (12PM-3PM) ➢ Event ground amenities/infrastructure • Plan assessment of event venue/ground with a medical team from local health facilities for set up medical camps, cooling areas, water ➢ Safe, Drinking Water Provision • Adequate and safe water supply and convenient access for all attendees must be arranged. • Suggested amount of water required per person are 20 Liters/day with 4 Liters for drinking. • For all day events water provision can be calculated based on following 1. A minimum of 2 litres of free drinking water available/person or a rate calculated at 500ml/hour, whichever is the greater and 2. | 59 | list | 0.820 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769333147_Advisory-for-State-Health-Department-on-heat-wave-season-2024_NPCCHH.pdf | Event planning considerations ➢ Environmental heat • Check heatwave forecasts, high humidity, active heatwave warnings, consult local IMD centre • Avoid days when active heatwave warnings, high humidity are expected • Avoid planning outdoor events in the hottest time of day (12PM-3PM) ➢ Event ground amenities/infrastructure • Plan assessment of event venue/ground with a medical team from local health facilities for set up medical camps, cooling areas, water ➢ Safe, Drinking Water Provision • Adequate and safe water supply and convenient access for all attendees must be arranged. |