Report: Murtaza Zeib Zehri
In the month of May this year, the temperature was recorded four to six degrees Celsius higher than normal in Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh, Federal Capital Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
During the severe heat wave, the temperature in several districts of Balochistan, South Punjab and Sindh exceeded 52 degrees Celsius. In Taftan, Nokundi, Dalbandin and Kharan, the temperature reached 52 degrees Celsius.
According to experts, if the temperature is between 32 and 40 degrees, the fear of energy loss increases due to heat cramps. A temperature of more than 40 degrees Celsius means danger.
Extreme temperatures can also lead to heat stroke, and even organ failure.
According to experts, extreme heat situation is a cause of concern in Pakistan and some desert regions where summer temperature is already touching the limit of human endurance.
The increase in heat intensity in the hottest regions is dangerous for young people, the elderly and especially those with weakened immune systems.
The Meteorological Department had already warned the citizens about the severe heat wave. In this regard, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had also issued instructions to take precautionary measures.
The NDMA also published a booklet titled Heat Wave Guidelines 2024, which prescribes government and individual level measures to prevent extreme heat damage.
Generally, people try to avoid the extreme heat, but the middle class people are forced to leave their homes in search of sustenance.
Medical Superintendent DHQ Jafarabad Dr. Akbar Khosa said that there is severe heat in Jafarabad and adjacent areas and during this time people are affected by it.
However, they are providing medical facilities to the people according to their capacity, on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner, air conditioners were installed in mail ward and female ward, however, the AC of the female ward broke down and they do not have funds to repair it.
Due to lack of manpower, people have to face difficulty in providing medical facilities in emergencies.
He said that the temperature in Jaffarabad and adjoining areas reaches 50 degrees Celsius while they are provided with electricity only for 13 hours. A solar system has been installed in the hospital to meet the needs, but it can only run the fans due to which we are facing problems.
According to MSDH, Jafarabad, there are 16 vacancies of medical officers in the hospital, while only doctors have been appointed, similarly, 5 lady medical officers have been appointed in the hospital, while 7 vacancies are vacant.
Out of 8 specialist doctor posts in the hospital, 7 posts are vacant while only one doctor has been appointed which is insufficient to provide timely medical services.
The government of Balochistan has allocated an annual budget of 5 crore rupees for the hospital and they purchase medicines through MSD.
We appeal to the provincial government to make early appointments to the posts of medical officer and lady medical officer in the hospital so that the people can be assured of uninterrupted services.
Climate change is happening due to anti-human activities along with increasing population. Climate change is not only Pakistan but the whole world is facing it. More than 557 pilgrims died due to extreme heat in Makkah.
In the Indian capital New Delhi, a 6-year record of extreme heat was broken, while many people died due to heat wave in Bangladesh.
This year, the most severe heat wave continued in Pakistan due to which people had to face severe problems.
According to Dr. Sabour, a medical expert, more people are affected by heat waves in densely populated areas, except for Quetta, there is no dense population in Balochistan, so the number of heat wave cases in Balochistan is less than in other provinces.
According to Dr. Sabour, according to a careful estimate, 300 to 1,000 cases of heatwaves are reported in Balochistan every year, the number of which is not constant and keeps decreasing.
He said that the concerns of heat waves increase during the hot season. The most common symptoms of dehydration in the human body are thirst, fatigue, muscle spasms, body aches, dizziness, confusion and dark colored urine. Ana is also included in the symptoms of heatwaves.
Referring to a new study, he said that heat waves have negative effects on pregnant women and the risk of premature birth of children also increases.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, examined data from 53 million women who gave birth in the United States between 1993 and 2017.
The study found that if a case of heat wave lasts for 4 consecutive days, the chance of babies being born prematurely increases by 1 to 2 percent.
He said that in extremely hot weather especially elderly people, children and women can suffer paralysis.
What precautions should be taken to prevent heat wave?
People affected by heat wave should drink more water, drink ORS and lemon water to fill the salt deficiency in the body. Since water keeps the body temperature normal, it is generally recommended to drink more water in summer to avoid the risk of heatstroke.
