CHANDIGARH, May 16 — A severe summer heatwave across Punjab has caused a sharp rise in gastroenteritis and dehydration cases, prompting thousands of citizens to seek medical care through the state’s welfare programs.
The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) has funded treatments totaling ₹73.42 lakh for gastrointestinal and abdominal illnesses between January and April, according to recent medical data. The program supported cashless medical services for 3,279 acute care cases across the state during this four-month period as temperatures continued to climb.
Hospital admissions surged notably last month, with treatment records showing that more than 1,400 patients received care for dehydration-linked gastrointestinal issues in April alone. The vast majority of these admissions involved acute gastroenteritis accompanied by moderate dehydration, which accounted for over 1,050 cases, while severe dehydration and recurrent vomiting made up the remainder of the clinical registry.
Medical experts stated that the rising temperatures directly influence the rapid spread of waterborne and foodborne pathogens.
“Food spoils more rapidly during intense heat, while contaminated water and unhygienic eating conditions further increase the risk of disease,” stated Dr. Shashi Kant Dhir, Professor and Head of Pediatrics at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot. “Patients commonly arrive complaining of diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, and fever. In severe situations, delayed treatment can lead to dangerously low blood pressure, kidney complications, and confusion caused by electrolyte imbalances.”
Demographic data from the wave of illnesses indicates that senior citizens are experiencing the highest rate of hospitalization. In April, more than 1,290 elderly beneficiaries required medical care under the state health card system, compared to approximately 120 pediatric patients.
Geographically, Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar emerged as two of the most heavily affected regions, with Hoshiarpur reporting more than 250 elderly admissions for moderate gastroenteritis. Significant patient volumes were also recorded in Patiala, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Barnala, Sangrur, Bathinda, and Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar.
Health administrators noted that the availability of cashless diagnostics, intravenous fluids, and inpatient care under the MMSY framework has encouraged vulnerable families to visit empanelled hospitals during the early stages of infection, preventing critical complications.
