Heatstroke Awareness Campaign in Delhi

Sip, Shade, Survive – Battling the Summer for All

Raising Awareness. Promoting Hydration. Protecting Communities.

With rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves across India, heat-related illnesses have become an increasing public health concern, especially among vulnerable communities with limited access to resources and healthcare.

To address this challenge, ACMS organized “Sip, Shade, Survive – Battling the Summer for All: A Medical Perspective”, a student-led health awareness initiative focused on heatstroke prevention, hydration awareness, and community outreach.

This project brought together medical education and field-based public health action, helping students learn while directly serving the community.

About the Initiative –

Heatstroke Awareness Campaign

The campaign was designed to spread awareness about:

Heatwaves and their health impact
Heatstroke prevention
Importance of hydration during extreme summer
Use of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)
Early identification of heatstroke symptoms
Seeking timely medical care

The initiative aimed to create awareness at both academic and community levels.

Theory Session

Date: 28 June 2025
Venue: Lecture Theatre, ACMS

The campaign began with an academic session for first-year MBBS students focused on understanding heat-related illness from both a clinical and public health perspective.

Topics covered included:

Why Delhi and India are increasingly vulnerable to heatwaves
Human thermoregulation and heatstroke physiology
Signs and symptoms of heatstroke
Prevention strategies during extreme heat
Management and treatment of heatstroke

An interactive quiz was also conducted to reinforce learning and encourage participation.

Community Field Visit

Date: 3 July 2025
Location: Jharera Urban Slum, Delhi Cantonment

The field outreach was conducted in Jharera, where first-year MBBS students engaged directly with local residents and families.

Students visited households to understand community practices related to summer health and shared practical preventive measures to reduce the risk of heat-related illness.

Community Outreach Activities

Heatstroke Awareness

Students educated residents about:

Common symptoms of heatstroke
Risks of dehydration
Heat exhaustion and emergency warning signs
Importance of early medical attention

ORS Distribution

ORS packets were distributed to residents as part of the awareness drive.

This helped promote hydration during summer while also serving as an immediate practical health resource for families.

Summer Safety Education

Residents were encouraged to follow simple preventive steps such as:

Drinking water regularly throughout the day
Staying in shaded or cooler spaces
Avoiding direct sun exposure during peak afternoon hours
Wearing lightweight clothing
Recognizing symptoms of heat stress early

Impact and Outcome

The project created a meaningful impact both academically and socially.

Academic Impact

Improved student understanding of heatstroke management
Better exposure to practical community medicine
Strengthened communication and public health awareness skills

Community Impact

Increased awareness regarding heatwave prevention
Improved hydration awareness among residents
Better understanding of ORS use
Greater awareness of heatstroke symptoms and early action

Community responses were also documented through digital data collection to assess the effectiveness of the outreach program.

Project Highlights

50 First-Year MBBS Students Participated
Community Outreach in Jharera Urban Slum
Heatstroke Awareness Sessions Conducted at Household Level
ORS Distribution Drive for Hydration Awareness
Student-Led Public Health Education Initiative

Acknowledgement

This initiative was conducted under the guidance of:

Dr. Sumita Sethi
Dr. Anuradha Makkar
Department of Community Medicine (PSM)

Special thanks to the Dean, ACMS for support and encouragement in making this project successful.

Conclusion

Sip, Shade, Survive was a meaningful step toward connecting medical education with real community impact.

By combining classroom learning with field outreach, the initiative helped spread awareness about heatstroke prevention, hydration, and summer safety among both students and the local community.

The campaign reflected the importance of preventive healthcare, community engagement, and the role of future doctors in building healthier communities.

Stay Hydrated. Stay Safe. Stay Aware.