Easy way for hospitals to reduce heat-related sickness in newborns

Study by doctors of Ahmedabad hospital shows shifting of maternity ward to a lower floor reduced morbidity

Published on:

28 Feb 2014, 2:37 pm

Heat-related illnesses among newborns can be reduced significantly by adopting some very simple measures, which includes shifting of maternity ward from higher floors to lower floors in hospitals. This is crucial in a country like India where only 129 hospitals out of a total of about 16,000 have air-conditioning, says a study to be published in Journal of Environmental and Public Health. The study uses data and experience from SCL General Hospital in Ahmedabad which changed the floor of its maternity ward in the aftermath of heat wave of May, 2010.

What is a heat wave?

Heat wave onset is considered only after maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C in the plains and at least 30°C in hilly regions

When normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40°C

Heat Wave Departure from normal is 5°C to 6°C
Severe Heat Wave Departure from normal is 7°C or more

When normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40°C

Heat Wave Departure from normal is 4°C to 5°C
Severe Heat Wave Departure from normal is 6°C or more

When actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more, irrespective of normal maximum temperature, heat wave should be declared.

Source: India Meteorological Department

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