It was stated by the authorities that the people affected by the heat stroke in Karachi are mostly above the age of 40, however children are also being effected due to heat stroke.
Whether it is Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Saddar, New Karachi, SITE area, North Karachi or the surrounding locations, there is not a single area where the hospitals haven’t received cases like dehydration, gastro or heat stroke.
According to Dr. Seemi Jamali, Additional Director JPMC, the number of deaths in JPMC has exceeded a total of 200. Whereas the death toll in Karachi Metropolitan Hospital and Abbasi Shaheed has exceeded 74, 71 in Civil Hospital, 17 in Lyaari General Hospital, 8 in Sindh Government Hospital, 2 in KPT Kemaari Hospital and the number of deaths in the private hospitals like Ziauddin Hospital the number of deaths exceeded a total number of 102 including the 36 people who lost their lives at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital. Other than this there were many cases where the heat wave killed many at their homes due to its high intensity.
According to the Medical experts, people with low immunity are at a greater risk of getting Heat Stroke. So it is strongly advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sun by avoiding the outdoors, increase fluid intake, wash face regularly with water.
A total of 36 lives were lost at Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital due to Heat stroke where 20 were in North Nazimabad Branch, 7 at Keemari Branch and 11 at the Clifton branch. The medical care and the facilitation of the heat stroke patients in Dr. Ziauddin Hospital still continues in all three branches of the hospital in Clifton, North Nazimabad and Keemari.
The patients are being treated with the latest medical facilities and technologies by the Medical experts including the 8 patients currently under treatment at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital North Nazimabad. At all the branches of the hospital patients are being provided with the best facilities by experienced doctors and medical experts.
On the other hand Agha Khan Hospital has closed its doors for the heat stroke patients and refused to take in any more patients. This is greatly distressing the people as they can’t help but feel helpless.
Similarly at Liaquat National the patients and their families are facing a lot of problems, due to shortage of beds and lack of medical facilities. And they too have closed their doors for the people affected by the extreme heat.
Due to the uncontrollable death toll which multiplies by the day, the National Disaster Management Authority finally decided to take the help of Army as they appealed to the Core Commander Karachi. And as a result of which the Rangers has set up relief camps for the victims of this deadly heat wave. It was stated by the Representative of NDMA that as ordered by Nawaz Sharif, PDMA has been asked to set up help lines and heat stroke centers in all government and private hospitals of the province. PDMA is asked to provide ambulances in case of emergency situations.
According to the Core Commander Karachi, The army and Rangers have started their preparations and the basic steps to protect the people from the extreme heat wave. According to Army, relief camps were set up in Jamshoro, Sehwan Sharif, Badin, Hyderabad and Pannu Aqil. Furthermore the camps have also been established in 63 Wing Jamia Karachi, 44 Wing North Karachi, 8 Wing Jamia Milaia, Rangers Training Centre and College Toll Plaza, Headquarters 53 Wing Baldia, 72 Wing Kala Pul, 82 Wing Muzaffarabad Colony, 91 Wing SITE, Sindh Rangers Hospital North Nazimabad and Headquarters 93 Wing People’s Football Ground.