Islamabad: As temperatures rise across southern Pakistan and the country’s plains and the Met Office forecasts an intense heatwave in the coming days, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has urged people to take precautionary measures against heat-related illnesses, warning that heatstroke can raise body temperature above 41°C (106°F) within 10 to 15 minutes and become fatal if immediate treatment is not provided.
In a nationwide advisory issued through its Centre for Disease Control (CDC), the NIH called on provincial health authorities, hospitals and local administrations to activate heat emergency response plans, establish dedicated heatstroke centres and ensure adequate stocks of medicines and intravenous fluids to deal with a possible surge in heat-related illnesses.
The warning comes as temperatures have started rising above normal levels in parts of Sindh, southern Punjab and Balochistan, while the Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted further increases in temperatures and heatwave conditions over large parts of the country.
According to the NIH, rising temperatures associated with climate change and increasingly frequent heatwaves are emerging as a major public health challenge in Pakistan, particularly in areas experiencing extreme heat and high humidity.
The institute noted that Pakistan has experienced several severe heatwaves in recent years that resulted in significant illness and deaths while placing considerable pressure on healthcare facilities.
The advisory described heatstroke as a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body’s cooling mechanisms fail and temperature rises rapidly to dangerous levels. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, strenuous physical activity in hot weather and dehydration are among the main triggers of the condition.
The NIH warned that elderly people, children, pregnant women, outdoor workers and individuals suffering from chronic diseases face the highest risk of developing severe heat-related complications.
Symptoms of heatstroke include high fever, excessive sweating or the absence of sweating, hot and flushed skin, severe headache, weakness, dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, hallucinations and loss of consciousness.
The advisory said suspected heatstroke patients should immediately be moved to a cool or shaded place, have excess clothing removed and be cooled with water, fans and ice packs while emergency medical assistance is sought without delay.
According to the NIH, severe cases often require hospitalization and intravenous fluids, while delayed treatment can result in permanent damage to the brain, kidneys, heart and other vital organs.
To reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses, the institute urged people to drink plenty of water, avoid direct sun exposure during peak daytime hours and limit strenuous outdoor activities during periods of extreme heat.
The advisory also asked people to watch for early signs of dehydration, including muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness and rapid heartbeat, and seek medical attention before the condition progresses.
Calling for urgent preparedness measures, the NIH directed provincial health departments and district administrations to establish heatstroke centres, set up first-aid points at public places and ensure uninterrupted availability of emergency medical supplies during the expected heatwave.
The advisory was issued by CDC-NIH Chief Dr Mumtaz Ali Khan, who stressed that timely preventive measures and rapid treatment could save lives as the country braces for another spell of extreme heat.