ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) reported no fatalities at its Heatwave Centre, due to the timely provision of medical aid to patients suffering from heatstroke, gastroenteritis, and diarrhea emergencies.
This was stated by Dr. Sharjeel, Director of Emergency and in-charge of the PIMS, lauding the center’s efficient medical team for timely treating the patients. He said the center will remain operational 24/7 to address cases of heat exhaustion in the coming days due to increased humidity.
He said that among the patients, 14 suffered from disorders associated with heat exposure, including heat stroke, heat hyperpyrexia, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat cramps.
He explained that heat exhaustion, a less severe condition than heatstroke, results from an imbalance in water and salt levels due to excessive perspiration under thermal stress.
"Heat cramps, another concern, occur when people perform strenuous physical tasks in high temperatures and humidity, leading to muscle pain due to loss of sodium and chloride," Dr. Sharjeel added.
He described heatstroke as a condition where the body’s heat regulation fails, resulting in extremely high body temperatures up to 43.3 degrees Celsius. Symptoms include convulsions, coma, dry and hot skin, and sometimes absence or excessive sweating.
PIMS Heatwave Centre continues to prioritize patient care and prevention strategies amid rising temperatures, aiming to mitigate the impact of heat-related illnesses effectively, he says.