Lucknow: With temperatures soaring over the past week, major government hospitals in the city, including Balrampur, SPM Civil, Lok Bandhu, and KGMU, have reported a 30% to 40% increase in patients suffering from heat-related illnesses.
Rise in Cases at Major Hospitals
At Civil Hospital, daily cases of nausea, dysentery, and loose motion have climbed from around 60-80 to 90-110. Balrampur Hospital has seen a rise from approximately 120-150 to 160-210 cases per day. Lok Bandhu Hospital reported an increase from 50-70 to nearly 80-100 cases, while KGMU recorded a jump from about 150-200 to 220-280 cases daily. The surge, observed over the past week, has placed significant pressure on outpatient departments and waiting areas, with patients and attendants crowding lobbies and shaded spaces.
Causes and Symptoms
Doctors attribute the rise to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. This triggers symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, and dizziness. Children and the elderly are among the most affected. “Most cases are linked to heat exhaustion and dehydration, while severe heat stroke cases remain limited so far,” said Dr Devesh Chandra, medical superintendent of Civil Hospital.
Hospital Preparations
Hospitals have expanded basic arrangements, including ORS distribution points, drinking water facilities, cooling systems, and temporary shaded shelters for attendants. “Power backups are being used to manage outages, and additional space is being utilised to handle the increased footfall,” said Dr Ajai Tripathi from Lok Bandhu Hospital. Dr PK Srivastava, MS of Balrampur Hospital, noted that with high temperatures expected to persist, the patient load may rise further in the coming days.
Advisory for Residents
Residents have been advised to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun exposure during peak afternoon hours, and take extra care of vulnerable family members. The hospitals continue to monitor the situation and are prepared to handle any escalation in cases.
