DOH chief says emergency departments ‘ready’ for heat-related illnesses

MANILA -- The Department of Health on Thursday said emergency departments in its hospitals are ready to respond to patients suffering from heat-related illnesses with the anticipated increase in cases this dry season. 

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said most heat-related illnesses do not require hospitalization except from serious cases such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

“Karamihan ng mga—or ng heat fatigue are kailangan ma-cool down lang, uminom ng tubig, punasan – malamang magri-recover iyan. Pero iyong heat stroke, hinimatay – iyon ang kailangang dalhin sa ospital,” Teodoro said in an interview with state-run media PTV Thursday, March 26. 

“So, naka-ready naman tayo sa ating mga emergency department sa ganitong klaseng mga kondisyon,” he noted.

The Health chief advised the public to stay hydrated and avoid excessive sun exposure especially among children and the elderly.

“So, sa ating mga kababayan paalala lalo na iyong mga matatanda at mga bata – sila po ang vulnerable sa heat-related illnesses. Uminom ng maraming tubig, huwag masyadong magtagal sa mainit na lugar at mag-ingat kapag may naramdaman magsabi agad,” he said.

The World Health Organization said heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and can exacerbate underlying illnesses including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health and asthma, noting that it can also increase the risk of accidents and transmission of some infectious diseases.

The WHO also described heatstroke as a “medical emergency with a high-case fatality rate”.

It noted that based on studies between 2000–2019, approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occur each year with 45% of these in Asia and 36% in Europe.