NEW DELHI: At least 54 people have died and more than 400 admitted to the Ballia District Hospital in Uttar Pradesh during the last three days, Indian media said quoting officials who said that extreme heat could be the factor behind the deaths and hospitalisations.
Although other factors may also have contributed to the deaths, doctors have suggested that extreme heat may be the major factor. They claimed that the extreme heat was increasing hospital admissions. The UP is experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures rising above 40 degrees.
The hospital is overcrowded and on high alert as a result of the abrupt rise in fatalities and the number of people being in with fever, respiratory problems, and other problems.
According to SK Yadav, the District Hospital Ballia’s in-charge Medical Superintendent, 23 patients died on June 15, 20 the next day, and 11 yesterday, NDTV said.
A team from Lucknow is arriving, according to Dr. BP Tiwari, Additional Health Director, Azamgarh Circle, to look into whether any diseases are present but not being recognised. Patients with diabetes, pulmonary conditions, and blood pressure issues are more vulnerable in extreme heat or cold. Dr. Tiwari hypothesised that their deaths may have been caused by the mercury slightly increasing.
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 10 people show there at once, even if they do have stretchers.
