ISLAMABAD: While the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been facing severe heat wave, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has established a separate heat wave centre to deal with emergencies and patients.

Spokesperson Pims Dr Mubashir Mushtaq Daha, while talking to Dawn, said that Director Emergency Dr Sharjeel has been appointed as in charge of the heat wave centre, in which two wards have been established.

“The centre has been established on the directions of the prime minister’s coordinator Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, and will serve as a rescue cell. Moreover, Secretary National Health Services (NHS) Nadeem Mehbood is also monitoring the situation,” he said.

He said that the number of patients will suddenly increase if the heat wave continues for many days.

Executive Director Pims Dr Rana Imran Sikandar has said that those who were affected by the heat wave usually get cardiovascular shock.

“We recover them on an emergency basis and give them a lot of fluids. I suggest people keep in the shady areas and use lots of water along with salt to avoid sunstroke,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2024