The Department of Health issued on Friday an advisory about protecting ourselves from the consequences of the searing summer heat.
the short term, drink lots of water before stepping out. Use umbrellas or caps when we do and avoid excessive sun exposure.
Keep contact numbers of emergency rescue units and hospitals handy in case someone needs to be brought to the hospital due to heat stroke.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona said other common conditions to which we are prone in the summer are vomiting and diarrhea, sore eyes or conjunctivitis, sunburn, colds and coughs, skin diseases and dog bites.
Vomiting and diarrhea can be avoided if barangay health centers and local governments do their job of ensuring, among other things, that food sold in stalls and other outlets are hygienically prepared to keep away microbes that upset the internal organs.
Frequent hand-washing helps in prevent contracting sore eyes, as are isolating oneself if one has the condition to prevent the virus from spreading, and taking care to avoid rubbing the eyes with hands that are often in contact with germs.
Pet owners must do their best to keep their dogs, cats and other pets at home, as stray animals are more likely than their home-based counterparts to be exposed to rabies.
We urge public veterinarians to intensify the campaign for rabies vaccines for pets.
The DOH warning must be reechoed at the grassroots level. Many people, especially children, still don’t know what they can do to avoid illness at a time when they should be taking advantage of plenty of leisure time with family and friends.
In the long run, other government agencies like those in charge of the environment and public utilities must do their share in keeping our environment healthful even amid soaring temperatures.
Water supply becomes a crucial matter.
Sanitary sources and distribution lines ensure the populace doesn’t fall ill of water borne diseases.
Water conservation will be the call of the hour as Cebu’s groundwater sources will be further strained by increased demand.
With the wet season over, any gains of a reforestation program will benefit residents in terms of recharge of the aquifer and tree shade.
RELATED STORIES: