Heat wave �silently� claims lives

Innocent Selatlhwa | Friday January 8, 2016 10:17

A concerned relative of the deceased informed us that the doctors told them that the death of their loved one was a result of heatstroke. However, hospital authorities have declined to confirm the cause of death, instead, accusing the media of trying to increase newspaper sales.

The Ramotswa death follows another unexplained death in Gamodubu on December 22 where a man was found dead several hours after he was seen working his field under the burning sun. The family only announced to the mourners that he died of possible dehydration and had to buried within shortest time possible.

Avoiding our inquiries, Chief Medical Officer at Bamalete Lutheran Hospital Dr Lee Hoko denied that they recorded any death as a result of heat stroke.

“I’m the hospital superintendent. If there was any death I would tell you, but there is nothing like that,” he said.

Hoko instead called on people to be wary of heat stroke symptoms and do all they can to avoid being victims. The symptoms include drowsiness, high temperature, difficulty in speaking and unconsciousness. Hoko said they receive a good number of patients who show signs of heat stroke at the hospital.

“It is not easy to tell at first sight whether one could have suffered from heat stroke,” he said. “We have had cases where we suspected it and admitted such people and helped them with fluids to hydrate them.”

Hoko said even though heat wave could claim a life, death could be prevented at earlier stages. He said the hospital admitted individuals and gave them intravenous liquids, which help hydrate and cool the body. Hoko said they also place ice blocks on muscles of the patients to ease them up. Frozen juice is one of the most popular beverages to fight this heat.

“Anything that is sweet either cool time or cold drinks will make you thirstier, beer makes one pee a lot and leaves them dehydrated in the process. So water is the best remedy,” he warned.

Hoko encouraged people to drink at least five litres of water instead of the recommended three litres in a day. He also encouraged caretakers to make sure that old people and young children are taken care of as they are the most vulnerable and take them to hospital when they notice any unusual behaviour they suspect to be caused by the heat. He also encouraged the wearing of light coloured clothing.

Ever since the last quarter of 2015, heat has been high with heat waves occurring frequently. Record-breaking temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius were recorded on Thursday and are expected again today.