A DOCTOR from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) urged residents to prepare for the health effects of El Niño, during the Healthy Davao Media Forum’s Kapihan sa Davao on Monday.
Dr. Honey Christine Dasmariñas of the SPMC Health Emergency Management Bureau warned that less rainfall and hotter weather bring heat-related illnesses and water-borne diseases.
“People are encouraged to stay hydrated, even though we are not thirsty, we need to drink lots of water,” Dasmariñas said.
She added that when the body cannot cope with excessive heat, it will experience dehydration, heat exhaustion and, worst, heat stroke.
While there is no exact number of hours people can safely stay in the sun, as it depends on the person, the doctor said people should move to a cooler place and drink water when necessary.
Outdoor workers, including traffic enforcers and construction workers, must wear loose, thin clothing.
Adults should drink eight to ten glasses of water daily, and more in hot weather, as the body loses more fluid through sweating.
She advised going outdoors in the early morning, around 6 to 7 a.m., or from 4 p.m. onward.
Those most at risk are older adults, children, pregnant women and people with heart or kidney conditions or hypertension.
She said heavy sweating reduces body fluids and blood flow, which can worsen these conditions.
During El Niño, shortage of water supply is also expected, hence conservation and storing of water is deemed critical.
“We encourage that once we store the water, it should be placed in a clean, and safe container to avoid water-borne illnesses,” the doctor said.
Dasmariñas warned that improperly stored water can cause waterborne illnesses such as acute gastroenteritis, cholera, and hepatitis.
She added that covered containers also prevent mosquito breeding, but water stored longer than three to five days should not be used for drinking.
SPMC has seen acute gastroenteritis cases but has not received heat-related cases like dehydration or heat stroke.
The doctor said the caseload has not exceeded expected levels, though the hospital is prepared for an increase.
The hospital has emergency medical supplies, including IV fluids and cooling ice packs, and has a treated water reservoir for patients.