Ludhiana, May 28 -- With Ludhiana witnessing severe heatwave conditions and temperatures touching nearly 44 degrees celsius over the past week, serious concerns have surfaced over the preparedness of civil hospital's dedicated heatstroke ward, where several basic emergency facilities are allegedly missing despite the rising risk of heat-related illnesses.

The situation has raised questions over the district health system's readiness at a time when the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has already issued heatwave alerts across Punjab, and health authorities have been directed to strengthen heat stroke management units.

The issue came to light after a 65-year-old woman suffering from suspected heat stroke was recently brought to the h...