Sindh Disaster Management Authority has issued an advisory to relevant provincial departments and ambulance services for taking measures in the wake of unprecedented heatwave in the province.
It has requested the Health Department to act promptly by establishing special heatstroke care units in all the health facilities in the province.
The advisory also said emergency phone numbers be activated which must immediately be shared with the PDMA, Information Department and general public as well.
Awareness campaign should immediately be started on print and electronic media informing the public to use umbrella or wet towels over head and other precautionary measure.
The Ambulance kiosks at hospitals should be guided that heatstroke patients must immediately be brought to the specially equipped and designated wards/units.
The Information Department has been requested to disseminate the information to the general public regarding precautionary measures like use of umbrella and wet towels etc. during the current heatwave.
The first aid methods to be adopted for heatstroke patients and inform the public to call the emergency room of the hospital for first aid instructions, if the ambulance is delayed.
The numbers should be obtained from the health department and advertised widely.
The Traffic police and National Highways and Motorways Police should not allow in any case the people to travel on the roof-top of the public transport especially during day hours.
Ambulance services are called for attending all calls from heatstroke affected people and carry/transport such affected people to the nearest special heatstroke unit established in government of Sindh hospitals.
Furthermore, they should start early cooling treatment as soon as possible.
The PDMA further informed that the Provincial Emergency Operation Center (PEOC) has been activated at PDMA for coordination.
These can be contacted on: PEOC: 021-9923524, 021-99251458; PDMA Operation Wing: 0333-2633715, 0333-2261561, 0300-9371186; FAX: 021-99251463; Email: nazarbozdar75@yahoo.com, mshayyanshah@hotmail.com. (APP)
