Karachiites get acclimatized to weather conditions

 

KARACHI: Karachiites, experiencing a humid and a partly cloudy Friday with temperature around 35 degree celsius, appeared to have some what acclimatized to the situation.
Meteorological Department officials, were hopeful that there may be drizzle and the cool sea breeze, with 40% to 50% moist content would continue to provide the needed relief to the citizens.
Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, however, reported another nine deaths due to heatstroke since Thursday night to Friday morning.
Dr. Seemin Jamali told APP that these were elderly individuals who could not bear the brunt of weather intensity.
“Yes we have registered a steady decline in the number of heatstroke cases referred during past two days because of improved weather conditions and rehabilitation facilities across the city,” she said in reply to a question.
Data of other hospitals, from Saturday evening to Friday morning show 124 deaths at Civil Hospital – Karachi, 41 at Sindh Government Qatar Hospital, Orangi Town, 10 at Sindh Government Hospital, Liaqutabad, 23 at Sindh Government, New Karachi,17 at Lyari General Hospital, Two at Sindh Government Hospital, Korangi, Two at KPT Hospital, Keamari, 40 at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Three at Sindh Government Malir Hospital, 214 deaths at different KMC facilities, 73 at Liaqut National Hospital, 31 at Aga Khan University, 45 at Indus Hospital, 61 at Ziauddin Hospital and 23 at Patel Hospital.
Concerned officials of these hospitals told APP that numbers of heat stroke victims, being brought to their respective facilities, has dwindled a lot during past two days.
They also acknowledged that number of deaths is also on decline, however, mentioned that the burden of mortality in the current situation mainly comprise those with compromised health status or suffering from ailments like diabetes, heart, renal failure or so.
General physicians said people are also coming with different skin conditions that are largely self limiting with due care to keep skin clean and cool through regular wash or wiping of affected part through cold and wet towels.
Humidity has always been an issue that was countered through cool sea breeze in Karachi. “In situations experienced during past few days we urge people to keep their head necessarily covered with wet piece of cloth and avoid direct exposure to sun,” said Dr. Abdul Hakeem.
Members of medical community while largely hopeful that Karachiites have come out of the worst due to improved weather and cut in the loadshedding hours said that they fear surge in the incidence of fever and gastro-enteritis in the metropolis.
“This is because people after breaking their day long fast are seen indulging in heavy intake of chilled liquid, often sherbets, with rich fried items,” elaborated the doctors.
Doctors said combination of fried items with cool water was a lethal combination exposing people to health conditions aggravating their risk to contract infections.
“We as muslims should comply our religious injunctions that asks for restraint in all aspects of our lives with due care towards simplicity.”
Dr. Abdul Hakeem said simple food, mainly comprising fruits and raw vegetable with plain water and natural juices can be of great help to the consumers themselves.