Ha NoiMr. Son, 38 years old, holding his sleeping daughter in one hand, waving a paper fan in one hand, sweating profusely, sat waiting in front of the Emergency Department, Bach Mai Hospital.
“I came to the hospital at 4 am, the sun was hot and the patients were crowded, so I brought him here to sit for easy breathing. It's too cool," said Son, a native of Nam Dinh, on June 1.
He said that after lunch on May 31, his son complained of fatigue, abdominal pain and diarrhea, taking medicine did not help. At midnight, the child had a high fever, convulsions, the family rented a taxi to run through the night to Bach Mai Hospital, worried that the child would be poisoned. After examination, the doctor diagnosed the child with bronchopneumonia, otitis media, diarrhea, requiring hospitalization for further monitoring. When it was sunny, the baby was uncomfortable crying, refused to eat, the parents took turns holding and coaxing the child with milk and cake.
Hanoi is on hot sunny days, the peak is over 40 degrees Celsius, the UV index is from 10 to 12 – a very dangerous level for the body when in direct contact. In hospitals, family members and patients who go to the doctor all suffer the same situation of "drying people" in the sun. In front of Bach Mai Hospital's Emergency Department, everyone was sitting on stone benches, corridors, tree stumps. At noon, the temperature is higher, some people cover their heads with wet towels, pour cool water on their faces, and continuously fan their hands.
Mrs. Xuan, 55 years old, and her daughter constantly wiped the sweat from being too hot, their faces red like a tomato. She said she came to the hospital at 5am because she knew Bach Mai was always overloaded, but still had to wait for hours. Because she could not have a gastroscopy, she temporarily sat in a row of chairs opposite the door of the clinic, waiting for her turn in the afternoon, sometimes standing near the door to enjoy the air from the air-conditioned room.
“Since last night, I have been fasting, living off a few glasses of water. If I couldn't have an endoscopy in the afternoon, I would have been hospitalized because I was so sick, the withered person didn't want to do anything," she said.
In front of the emergency room, Bach Mai Hospital, many patients brought fans to the corridor to sit, taking medical records to shield them from the sun. Image: Minh An
The condition of family members, tired patients under the hot sun also occurs at the National Hospitals of Pediatrics, National Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint Paul, Geriatrics, Post Office... Anh Chung, 30 years old, and his wife take care of a sick child at the hospital. Pediatrics Center, but only one person can stay in the ward. During the day, he wandered through the corridors looking for a place to rest, but did not dare to lay his back because of the sweltering heat. "The mats spread in the middle of the floor just need to be lightly crumpled and wrinkled, as hot as lying on a coal cellar," he described.
On the morning of June 2, reply VnExpress, Dr. Duong Duc Hung, Chairman of the Management Board of Bach Mai Hospital, said that this unit is the last line, so it is always crowded, many patients are seriously ill, especially when it is hot, the risk of stroke is high. infarction, increased blood pressure.
Most of the rooms at Bach Mai are equipped with air conditioning. The hospital also prepares free water and a misting system to reduce the heat in the emergency and examination areas - where a large volume of patients is received. The appointment time is adjusted to an hour earlier so that the patient does not have to wait too long. "However, the extreme weather, hot from 5 am to 10 pm is still sultry, all measures can only reduce the heat somewhat", Mr. Hung said.
A representative of the National Children's Hospital said that they had prepared means of heat protection such as fans, tarpaulins, drinking water and domestic water, but only partially reduced the heat. "In this weather, everyone who goes to the doctor is tired, everyone has to overcome it by themselves," this person said.
At the Postal Hospital, Doctor Nguyen Anh Dung, Head of the Cardiology Unit, Emergency Resuscitation Department, said that the unit had installed cool air conditioners from the parking garage to all patient rooms. However, because the last-line hospital has too many patients from the provinces and cities, the anti-heat measures do not satisfy the demand.
On May 21, it is forecasted that hot weather, drought and severe water shortage will occur due to the influence of the El Nino phenomenon, the Ministry of Health requested hospitals across the country to strengthen heat prevention work. Specifically, install a roof to cover the aisles between blocks, outdoor areas with a large number of patients' families; supplementing fans and air conditioners, ensuring ventilation in the lobby, corridors and treatment rooms; provide free drinking water.
Experts recommend that people protect themselves and their families' health in hot weather, eat healthy, ensure adequate nutrition, and improve resistance. In the room, the air conditioner is set at 27-28 degrees, so it should not be too cold or too hot. Regularly open doors, clean furniture, avoid creating conditions for viruses and bacteria to grow.
Do not use very cold bath water to lower body temperature when it is too hot. Should slowly lower body temperature by resting in a cool environment, using a fan to cool down, then taking a bath, to avoid heat shock.
Minimize exposure to the sun, especially in the neck and shoulders. When going out in the sun, wear protective clothing, hats, glasses, and sunscreen.
People working outdoors should arrange working time in a cool time such as early morning or late afternoon. Limit working in high temperature environments, avoid excessive physical activities.
Minh An
