As heatwave conditions escalate in various parts of India, Delhi’s Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital has pioneered heatstroke treatment by establishing the nation’s first immersion cooling facility, a globally recognized method that involves cooling patients under water. The hospital’s specialized Heat Wave Centre, operational since 2024, is now being replicated in other healthcare facilities nationwide, as confirmed by hospital officials. Dr. Ajay Chauhan, discussing the initiative, highlighted that the facility was developed under the guidance of a committee formed by the Union Health Ministry under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), operating under the National Centre for Disease Control.
The rising concerns over heatstroke cases due to climate change have led experts to develop specialized cooling guidelines for patients suffering from severe heat-related illnesses. Dr. Chauhan emphasized that immersion cooling, a global best practice involving cooling under water, was identified as the most effective method. The Heat Wave Centre at RML Hospital is equipped with advanced emergency treatment systems, including ice tubs, bath tubs, cooling systems, fans, and air conditioning facilities to provide immediate relief to patients affected by extreme heat and heatstroke.
Operating round the clock, the centre ensures that emergency care is accessible at all times. Dr. Chauhan reported that two patients with heat-related complications have already been successfully treated and discharged from the facility after full recovery. The immersion cooling model introduced at RML Hospital is now being adopted by other institutions as India grapples with increasingly severe summer temperatures. Dr. Chauhan advised the public to take precautions during the ongoing heatwave season, recommending avoiding unnecessary outdoor activities and staying hydrated by carrying cold water and consuming fluids regularly.
He suggested drinks like lassi, buttermilk, and bael sherbet to maintain hydration and body temperature, particularly emphasizing the vulnerability of elderly individuals and children to heatwave conditions, urging special care for them during extreme heat periods.
