France Heatwave Claims Lives as Hospitals Face Criticism Over Preparedness

France is facing an unprecedented heatwave, with extreme temperatures reported across the country and multiple deaths linked to the ongoing weather conditions. The crisis has particularly affected vulnerable populations, including elderly patients in care facilities and hospitals.

Concerns have been raised over the preparedness of healthcare infrastructure, with reports suggesting that some hospitals and care homes lacked adequate cooling systems to cope with the extreme heat. The situation has intensified public scrutiny of emergency planning and climate resilience measures in the health sector.

Criticism has also come from within the medical community, where professionals have expressed frustration over long-standing issues. A geriatric specialist working in a major Paris hospital said: “Since 2003 I have worked in geriatrics in a major Paris hospital. Since that year, nothing has changed.”