The arrival of shifting temperatures and humid summer air has brought with it a familiar unease across Punjab. Government hospitals, already crowded with patients seeking relief from everyday ailments, are now witnessing a fresh surge of fever-related illnesses, respiratory infections and stomach disorders, the sort of seasonal wave that doctors say returns year after year with worrying predictability.

Acute febrile illness is not one disease but a broad medical condition marked by the sudden onset of fever. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such illnesses can stem from viral, bacterial or parasitic infections. In many cases, patients arrive at outpatient departments with fever as the primary symptom, while the underlying infection remains undiagnosed in its early stages.

Recent figures in Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana show that in the last four months, acute febrile illness emerged as one of the largest categories of cashless treatment claims. As per recent data received from the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab recorded 5,840 cases under acute febrile illness, with claim payments touching a striking ₹1.31 crore.

Additionally, the figures reveal cases in water-borne and respiratory illnesses. Enteric fever accounted for 1,396 registrations and claims worth ₹30.47 lakh. Pneumonia followed with 377 cases worth ₹11.06 lakh while acute bronchitis recorded 326 cases costing over ₹9.24 lakh. Interestingly, diseases that often dominate public concern during monsoon months remained relatively limited. These included dengue fever, which recorded 12 cases with claims worth ₹40,880, malaria just 3 cases, and chikungunya 6 cases. Heat stroke was reported in only 4 cases, reflecting comparatively lower incidence of extreme heat-related hospitalisations in the dataset.

Public health experts, however, caution against complacency. A study in the National Institute of Health show that seasonal outbreaks can shift rapidly depending on rainfall, mosquito breeding and local sanitation conditions.

Dr Vikas Goyal, Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital, Patiala, said the current trend reflects the “predictable seasonal load” seen in OPDs every year, adding that most cases are manageable at the primary care level. He noted that extreme heat leads to a rise in acute febrile illnesses, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, respiratory infections, and skin or eye allergies, often worsened when people delay medical consultation due to hot weather.

Dr Vikas Goyal said that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana can act as a major boost, enabling patients to access cashless indoor treatment without financial burden. “It ensures that people can receive timely medical consultation and care without worrying about arranging money in advance,” he explained, adding, “Immediate diagnosis and treatment under the scheme can help save many lives, as patients are less likely to delay seeking medical help due to cost concerns,” informed Dr Vikas Goyal.

Children remain particularly vulnerable during periods of extreme heat and humidity. Dr. Shashi Kant Dhir, Professor and Head, Pediatrics, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, warns that infants and young children are especially susceptible to infections. The warning signs, says Dr. Shashi Kant Dhir, include poor feeding, repeated vomiting, fast breathing, dehydration, seizures and persistent fever, and they should never be ignored. “Any fever in a baby below three months requires urgent medical attention,” Dr. Shashi Kant Dhir said.

Dr. Shashi Kant Dhir also emphasised the role of parents, ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff and schools in preventing outbreaks through awareness campaigns, hygiene education, vaccination drives and mosquito-control measures.

For now, as Punjab braces for another long summer, hospital corridors remain crowded reminders of how seasonal illness continues to test both families and the public health system alike.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab State Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu on Wednesday strongly condemned the conduct of BJP leader and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu during the Dhuri municipal elections, describing his behaviour as shameful, condemnable and a reflection of a “cheap mentality”.

Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said the manner in which a Union Minister publicly abused Punjab Police personnel, insulted a woman SSP and interfered in election duty exposed the BJP’s arrogance of power and disregard for democratic institutions. “Ravneet Singh Bittu is neither a resident nor a voter of Dhuri, and after the end of campaigning, outsiders are not permitted to remain in the area under election rules. Despite this, Ravneet Singh Bittu not only stayed in the constituency but also obstructed the functioning of the police deployment on duty,” he added.

The AAPPunjab State Media In-charge stated, “I watched the video several times since morning and still could not believe that a Union Minister could stoop to such a level merely for media headlines. Ravneet Singh Bittu grabbed the collar of a Gursikh police employee deployed on duty, misbehaved with him and used derogatory words like ‘dalal’ for police personnel.”

He further stated that the Sangrur district police force is being led by SSP Navjot Kaur Grewal, a competent woman officer who achieved her position through hard work and merit. “Ravneet Singh Bittu openly threatened the SSP by saying, ‘If you were not a woman, I don’t know what I would have done.’ Apart from this, casteist remarks were also made openly. Punjab Police eliminated terrorism during the darkest times and is currently carrying out exemplary work against drugs. Insulting such a force is extremely shameful,” he added.

Targeting Ravneet Singh Bittu over his own political history, Baltej Pannu remarked, “Ravneet Bittu, if this force is so bad, then how have you forgotten that during Captain Amarinder Singh’s government, your own brother was recruited into Punjab Police on compassionate grounds? At that time, age limits, educational qualifications and rules were changed for your brother. Today, the Inspectors and DSPs whom you are openly abusing have reached their positions through merit, without recommendations or bribery. It is possible that the position your brother occupies was given by snatching away the right of a deserving youth.”

Baltej Pannu also cornered the BJP over the issue of narcotics and law and order. He said Punjab Police is among the best police forces in the country in maintaining law and order and recovering narcotics. “If Ravneet Singh Bittu has courage, he should question the drugs seized at Gujarat ports. Instead of speaking about the deteriorating law and order situation in BJP-ruled states, he wants to disturb Punjab’s atmosphere,” he asserted.

Baltej Pannu said the government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stands firmly with every Punjab Police officer and employee. “The BJP’s conspiracy to demoralise Punjab Police will never be allowed to succeed,” he affirmed.

He further stated, “If this act was committed unintentionally, then Ravneet Singh Bittu should immediately and unconditionally apologise to Punjab Police, the woman officer and the parents of those police personnel. But if all this was done deliberately to promote cheap politics, then the law knows very well how to do its job.”