Punjab Puts hospitals on alert to cope with looming three consecutive heat-waves
PDMA ADVISES STRINGENT MEASURES WITH STRICT LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THOSE VIOLATING HEATWAVE GUIDELINES PUNJAB PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HEALTHCARE DEPARTMENT DIRECTS TO IMPLEMENT CERTAIN STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
tHE Punjab government on Sunday put the chief executive officers of all district health authorities, and the medical superintendents of tertiary care hospitals, district headquarters hospitals (DHQS) and tehsil headquarter hospitals (THQS) on high alert ahead of the expected rise in the temperature and heat-wave.
The alert follows the Meteorological Department warning about the presence of a high pressure in the upper atmosphere that would result in heatwave conditions in most parts of the country, especially Punjab and Sindh from May 21 and a severe heatwave from May 23 to 27.
Daytime temperatures are “likely to remain 4 to 6 degrees centigrade above normal” in Sindh and Punjab from May 21 to 23 and six to 8°C from May 23 to 27, it said. On Friday, the Punjab government had reduced the timings of all public and private schools from May 18 to May 31.
The Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department directed health facilities in the province to implement certain standard operating procedures (SOPS) ahead of an expected rise in the temperature. In a letter issued on Sunday, the provincial department said: “According to the weather advisory from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, [a] heatwave is expected to hit all areas of Punjab from May 21 to May 27, especially in the southern districts of Punjab i.e. Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan.” “This is expected to cause a serious impact on the daily routines and lives of the people across the province,” it said, adding that certain SOPS should be implemented.
These included establishing heatwave counters at tertiary care hospitals as well as DHQS and THQS, which provided information to the public about heatwaves as well as preventative measures.
The health department also directed officials to hold coordination meetings with all stakeholders and “establish the responsibility matrix of each department”. Three heat-waves likely to hit country
The Meteorologists have warned of an unprecedented and potentially catastrophic heatwave set to engulf Pakistan. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has identified areas at high risk, including Umarkot, Tharparkar, Tandoalayar, Matiari, and Sanghar in Sindh, as well as Bahawalpur and Rahimyar Khan in Punjab.
The first heatwave spell, expected to last 2 to 3 days, poses a threat to these regions. A second heatwave, forecasted for late May or early June, could see temperatures soaring to 45 degrees for 4 to 5 days. A third heatwave is projected for the first 10 days of June, impacting Tharparkar, Umarkot, Sanghar, Badin, and Khairpur. The Meteorological Department’s advisory indicates a significant rise in temperatures from May 21, with extreme heatwaves expected from May 23 to 27. Above-normal temperatures are anticipated in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-baltistan, and Balochistan during this period. Citizens are urged to stay informed through various media channels and take necessary precautions to combat the impending heatwave onslaught.
The Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department’s letter further directs the officials to disseminate information to the general public on how to avoid the heat and limit outdoor activity, proper hydration and how to handle an emergency situation. “All water coolers, with plenty of clean water and air conditioners shall be functional across all health facilities, without fail,” it said, adding that all medicines should be made “available across all health facilities round the clock”.