Karnataka health dept mandates heat stroke units across hospitals
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Friday directed state-run health facilities to set up dedicated ‘heat stroke management rooms’ to address risks from extreme temperatures, officials said.
In a circular issued, the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare Services said community health centres should earmark two beds, taluk hospitals five beds, and district hospitals 10 beds for heat stroke management.
The circular, issued under the National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illnesses, stated that these facilities must be made operational every year, including in 2026, from March 1 to July 31.
All doctors and paramedical staff have been instructed to undergo training in the management of Heat-Related Illnesses (HRI).
It also directed all health institutions to establish ORS corners and equip heat stroke management rooms with essential facilities such as fans, ice cubes, and thermometers.
All health facilities at every level have been instructed to submit daily reports on HRI cases through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), the circular said.
The health department said the measures aim to prevent heat stroke-related complications and deaths amid rising temperatures and has directed authorities concerned to submit compliance reports on implementation.
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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
