As summer heats up, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Sunday urged Manileños to take precautionary measures when going outdoors with the increasing threat of heat strokes.
Estrada has tasked the Manila Health Department to inform the city’s barangays and educate the residents, especially children, about heat exhaustion and other common summer diseases such as sore eyes, prickly heat, and chicken pox, and train them in administering first aid in emergency cases.
“We won’t get tired reminding everyone to take care of themselves during this hot season,” Estrada said. “Heat stroke is not something to be taken for granted because it could cost you your life.”
The Manila mayor assured residents the city’s six public hospitals and 59 community health centers, including rescuers and paramedics, are ready to respond to all kinds of medical emergencies.
Similarly, Estrada also tasked the Manila Police District, Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, and other concerned City Hall departments to work out a system that would minimize their field personnel’s exposure to the sun and heat during daytime, particularly at high noon.
On March 28, an MPD policeman identified as PO3 Leo Marcelo reportedly collapsed and died while sitting outside a police precinct in Lawton.
The Department of Health has warned that the threat of heat stroke increases during hot and humid weather, especially if a person is dehydrated, is engaged in physical activities, and is directly exposed to the sun for too long.
At least five Filipinos complain of heat stroke every day in the country, according to the Private Hospital Association of the Philippines.
“Every time we talk about summer, we talk about extreme heat. The number one problem, especially among the elderly, would be sun stroke. Heat stroke. Exposure to the sun,” MHD chief Dr. Benjamin Yson said.
“So, we always say have personal protective equipment to protect you from the sun, such as umbrella, hat, and wear light clothing… just to be more comfortable, because there will be high temperatures prevailing,” he added.
Yson pointed out the best antidote to heat stroke is to keep hydrated, by drinking eight to 10 glasses of water every day to compensate for water in the body being lost through perspiration.
Aside from heat stroke, Yson said sore eyes, prickly heat and cases of food poisoning are also prevalent during summer, because cooked food tends to spoil more easily in hot weather.
Another MHD concern during summer, Yson said, is drowning, because more people swim during this season: “We have to address it,” he said.