Pune, April 19: Amid a steady rise in temperatures across the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to set up a dedicated heatstroke ward at Kamla Nehru Hospital to ensure timely medical care for affected residents.
Civic officials said the move comes in response to a likely increase in heat-related illnesses, with citizens, particularly children, reporting symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, heatstroke has also led to fatalities, while many patients have been forced to seek costly treatment at private hospitals.
The proposal for a specialised facility was raised by Congress group leader Ramchandra Kadam and city general secretary Hrishikesh Balgude, who had urged the health department to take action. Acting on the request, the civic body has initiated steps to operationalise the ward.
The PMC health department has issued a circular and begun rolling out similar facilities across the city to strengthen preparedness during the summer season. Officials said the initiative aims to provide immediate treatment and reduce the risk of serious health complications.
Assistant Health Chief Dr Vaishali Jadhav confirmed the development, stating that Kamla Nehru Hospital was selected for the facility due to the availability of specialist doctors.