DHAKA, May 4, 2024 (BSS) - A national guideline on heat-related illnesses will be launched Sunday (May 5, 2024) to protect children and vulnerable populations including pregnant women from heat-related health risks, Additional Director General of Directorate General of Health Service Dr Ahmedul Kabir told BSS today.

"This is a comprehensive guideline incorporating all aspects related to illness caused by the heatwave," he said adding the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Bangladesh, with UNICEF's support, will launch the national guideline to make the people aware of adverse impact of heatwave.

This national guideline, developed in collaboration with experts from health and other sectors, provides a comprehensive framework for responding effectively to heat-related health risks, Kabir said.

The DGHS additional director general attributed the prolonged heatwave, which has blasted almost the entire country, to negative impact of global climate change, unplanned urbanizations and deforestation.  

"Bangladesh recorded average temperature of 40 degree Celsius . . . but we felt severe uncomfortable as like as temperature nearly 50 degrees Celsius," Kabir said, adding this is happening because of inadequate number of trees, unplanned urbanizations and excessive use of air-conditioning."

Considering all these matters, the DGHS along with UNICEF is going to launch a comprehensive guideline to face the ongoing heatwave and future heatwave-related disasters.  
 
UNICEF has been a proud supporter of this initiative, working closely with DGHS to ensure the development of the guideline and the training of healthcare professionals across hospitals and health centers.

On April 23, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued four-point guidelines to prevent heatstroke as heatwave gripped the entire country forcing people to stay indoor to avoid the scorching heat.
 
The guidelines were as follows:

1. Stay away from intense heat, take rest under shadow.

2. Drink plenty of safe water. Avoid street food and drinks to avoid deadly water borne-diseases including Hepatitis A, E, diarrhoea, taking bathe more than once if necessary.

3. In hot weather, wear loose, thin and light colored clothes, avoid dark
colored clothes if possible.

4. Visit doctors, if any symptoms such as stopping of sweating, nausea,
severe headache, increased body temperature, decreased appetite, burning sensation, convulsions and fainting are shown during this hot weather.