The Ballia District Hospital in Uttar Pradesh has seen 400 hospitalisations and 54 fatalities in the last three days due to the extreme heat.
Although there are many different causes for the deaths, doctors have suggested that extreme heat may play a role. According to them, the extreme heat is causing a rise in hospital admissions. Most locations in the UP have experienced temperatures around 40 degrees due to a strong heatwave.
The hospital has become overcrowded as a result of the abrupt rise in fatalities and the number of patients being admitted with fever, respiratory problems, and other problems; which has put its staff on alert.
According to SK Yadav, the District Hospital Ballia’s in-charge medical superintendent, 23 patients passed away on June 15, 20 the following day, and 11 yesterday.
According to Dr BP Tiwari, Additional Health Director, Azamgarh Circle, a team from Lucknow is arriving, to look into whether any diseases are present but not being recognised. Patients with diabetes, pulmonary conditions, and blood pressure issues are more vulnerable to extreme heat or cold. The mercury rising a little may have led to their deaths, Dr Tiwari speculated.
There is such a rush at the district hospital that many nurses are carrying their patients to the emergency department on their shoulders, and patients are unable to obtain stretchers. However, the Additional Health Director emphasised that it becomes challenging if ten people show up at once, even though they do have stretchers.
UP Health Minister Brajesh Pathak, went on to say that the state government has taken all essential steps regarding the incident in Ballia and that he is constantly monitoring the situation.
