Doctors are now stressing that free air-conditioners should be installed across all Victorian housing facilities for the elderly, i.e., people over the age of 75, in order to try and save more lives during heat-waves.

The $37 Million air-conditioning plan of the Australian Medical Association has come after as many as 374 people died in the heat-wave in January of last year.

Other aged tenants should receive "means-tested" rebates of up-to $1,000 in order to assist then to pay for other heat protection methods like block-out blinds, the AMA stressed.

Of all the people who died in January, 248 were over the age of 75.

"For older Victorians with chronic health conditions, the use of an air conditioner during a heat wave just might save their life", AMA Victorian president Dr Harry Hemley said.

Over the period of January 2009, ambulance call-outs hiked by 46% and emergency admissions surged by 12%, and 37% of these were for those over 75.

The State Government has said that it will consider the plan for its May budget.