Marking the Heat Exhaustion Awareness Week, Qatar Red Crescent’s (QRCS) Medical Affairs Division has held several health education events to reduce health problems resulting from heat exhaustion and stroke.
Under the national preventive health education strategy adopted by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), QRCS delivered 10 lectures and three simulated demonstrations at its Workers’ Health Centers in Mesaimeer, Al Hemaila, and Zekreet.
These events were attended by more than 3,000 workers visiting the health facilities.
Also, four continuing education and in-service training workshops were conducted for 60 physicians and nurses about how to deal with heat exhaustion patients. The lectures were titled “Heat Stroke Prevention” and were delivered in Arabic, English, and Hindu.
They explained sun stroke, heat exhaustion, and first aid.
Certain steps should be taken to provide help for a heat stroke patient: Move the patient from the hot environment to a cooler place. In case of fainting, lay the patient down with his/her legs a little bit higher than the head - if there is vomiting or diarrhoea, put the patient on his/her side. Remove the clothes of the patient, spray cool water on the body, and turn a fan on for good ventilation. Give the patient sufficient water, on a 15-minute-per-cup basis (if there is no diarrhea or vomiting).
It is highly recommended to avoid working in too high temperature or humidity, to ensure that someone is around just in case, to take regular breaks, and to wear adequate worker uniform.
