OPDs in JSR hosps see 30% rise in footfall as heatwave wreaks havoc

Jamshedpur: The prevailing heatwave conditions has lead to about 30% rise in the number of patients arriving at the Outdoor Patients Department (OPD) in the hospitals with complaints of summer-induced ailments.
“Diarrhoea, pneumonia, and dehydration are the common complaints of the patients,” said Dr Nakul Chaudhary, the deputy superintendent of the government-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH).

People from far-off areas in East Singhbhum, and Seraikela-Kharsawan arrive here as the hospital is the leading healthcare centre in the Kolhan division. The MGMMCH, on an average, recorded over 900 patients at the OPD daily between June 3 and 9. Out of this, over 30% arrived with summer-related health ailments, he added.
The Jamshedpur Sadar Hospital (JSH), too, reported a spike in the count of the patients arriving mostly with complaints of seasonal viral fever, cough, vomiting, and dehydration. Out of the over 2,000 patients who arrived at the hospital during the aforesaid period, around 40% suffered from heat-related complaints.
Civil Surgeon Dr Jujhar Majhi said, “The oral rehydration solution (ORS) centres have been set up and directions issued to all to ensure adequate cooling arrangements at the OPD and the indoor wards.
Meanwhile, though patients’ footfall at OPD has gone up in hospitals, including private hospitals like the Tata Main Hospital (TMH), the Tata Motors Hospital, and at the Community Health Centres (CHCs), admissions to the wards is normal. “There’s no issue of shortage of beds, as admission of the patients arriving with heat-related complaints is not high,” Dr Majhi added.
Dr Mrityunjay Kumar advised the residents to keep themselves hydrated, eat healthy foods, and avoid staying empty stomach for long hours to avert the risk of falling sick. “Besides, people should remain indoors, and wear proper clothing, whenever it is needed to go outside, to reduce the risk of sun damage to skin. Drink plenty of water, and include food items to keep the body cool,” he stressed.
With temperature hovering at 44 degrees Celsius and heatwave conditions prevailing, the Ranchi meteorological office has made a forecast of scattered heatwave for June 11. The day temperature would be between 42 and 43 degrees celcius over the next three days, the weather office said.
Concerned over the rising temperature, a father of a 10-year-old student of DBMS English School, Kafil Ahmad, said, “We are waiting for the government to extend the summer vacation for a week, or ask the educational institutions to hold online classes.” The DBMS English School is scheduled to reopen on June 12.