Extremely hot weather, like other parts of the country, has made life miserable for the residents of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. At least 200 patients, suffering from a host of heat-related diseases, visit Polyclinic Hospital and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on daily basis. Most of them suffer from heatstroke, gastro, typhoid, urinary tract infections, migraine, food poisoning etc.
There have been no rains for the past two weeks in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and both cities sizzle during the daytime because of high temperatures. In Islamabad, about 80 to 90 patients with heat-related diseases visit PIMS and 100 to 150 go to Polyclinic emergency wards daily.
Dr Shairf Astori, a spokesperson for the Polyclinic Hospital told Pakistan Today that 100 to 150 people and 200 children, stricken with heat-related diseases, visit the facility daily. “Presently it is very difficult for us to handle a large number of patients,” he added. He explained that heat-related illness can affect anyone, but infants and young children, people aged 65 or older, those who are physically ill-especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, and people with mental illness are especially at risk.
“Heat-related illness occurs when the body’s temperature-control system is overloaded. Sweating can’t cool the body enough, and body temperature continues to rise,” he said.
Dr Waseem Khawaja, a spokesperson for PIMS, told Pakistan Today that almost 70 to 90 patients visit PIMS emergency ward daily because of the persistent hot weather in the city.
He suggested a number of precautionary measures of avoid heat-related disorders including increased water intake, avoiding drinks made of sodas and sugar filled juices, minimum exposure to sun, use of wear light-weight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. He added that more than 70 per cent of those patients usually fall prey to contaminated water and unhygienic food.
When contacted, the Metrological Department head, Qamar- uz- Zaman, said, “The ongoing heatwave will linger on for next 3 to 4 days and after that its intensity will reduce but there are no chances of rain during next 4 to 5 days.”
