Ministry of Ayush issues Public Health Advisory on Heatwave and Extreme Heat Conditions

In view of the rising temperatures and prevailing heatwave conditions in several parts of the country, the Ayush Vertical under the Directorate General of Health Services (“DGHS”), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in coordination with the Ministry of Ayush, has issued a comprehensive Public Health Advisory on Extreme Heat/Heatwave for the current summer season.

Key Highlights under the advisory given by Ministry of Ayush:

1. The advisory provides detailed guidance for the general public, vulnerable groups, employers, workers, and participants in mass gatherings and sporting events to protect themselves from heat stress and heat-related illnesses amid rising temperatures. It emphasizes the importance of adequate hydration, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight during peak hours, wearing light cotton clothing, and consuming seasonal fruits and electrolyte-rich fluids, while urging special precautions for children, the elderly, and outdoor workers.

2. It highlights that infants, children, pregnant women, elderly persons, outdoor workers, and individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as heart disease and hypertension are particularly vulnerable during heatwave conditions and require special care and monitoring.

3. Special precautions have been advised for workplaces, public gatherings and outdoor activities, including provision of shaded rest areas, regular hydration breaks, acclimatization measures for workers, and awareness generation regarding symptoms of heat stress.

4. The advisory cautions citizens to remain alert for symptoms of heat-related illnesses, including dizziness, headache, nausea, dehydration, seizures, fainting, altered mental status, and high body temperature, while stressing that heatstroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention and advising people to promptly contact emergency helplines 108 or 102 in severe cases.

5. The advisory also incorporates traditional wellness and preventive measures from various Ayush systems including Ayurveda, Siddha, Yoga, Unani and Homoeopathy for combating heatwave conditions:

• The Ayurveda section recommends cooling dietary practices, intake of hydrating beverages such as buttermilk, coconut water and lemon-based drinks, and use of traditional preparations including Nimbukaphala Panaka, Amra Prapanaka and Chincha Panaka to help regulate body temperature during extreme heat.
• The Siddha and Yoga sections advise the adoption of cooling refreshments and breathing techniques such as Sheetali Pranayama and gentle Yoga practices for maintaining thermal comfort and reducing heat stress.
• The Unani system recommends traditional cooling drinks and herbal applications to prevent sunburn and dehydration, while the Homoeopathy section suggests precautionary measures during peak heat hours.

6. The advisory further encourages the public to include hydrating and cooling traditional food items such as cucumber, watermelon, lime, musk melon, ash gourd and tomatoes in their daily diet during the summer season, and to follow weather updates issued by the India Meteorological Department (“IMD”) and take necessary precautions during heatwave alerts.

Source: Ministry of Ayush