DEALING WITH HEAT STRESS

 Heeding NiMet’s advice may save lives

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has consistently warned that record greenhouse gas concentrations are driving global temperatures towards increasingly dangerous levels. In recent weeks Nigerians have seen evidence of that across the country where temperatures are rising and the heat is so intense that it gives burning sensation. Last week, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) decried the escalating heat waves ravaging, including in coastal areas, saying it could lead to heat stress. This can occur due to a combination of factors, including high temperatures, humidity, poor ventilation, dehydration, clothing, and physical exertion.

The warning calls for urgent mitigation and adaptation strategies to stem avoidable deaths. To survive the heat wave, NIMET has suggested some tips which include drinking more water to keep hydrated, avoiding alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, reducing intake of foods that are rich in protein because they increase metabolic heat; eating a lot of fresh food, fruits and vegetables, monitoring blood pressure and taking cold baths before going to bed at night. This is in tandem with a similar warning from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which says the number of people exposed to extreme heat is growing exponentially due to climate change.

Heatwaves can acutely impact large populations for short periods of time, trigger public health emergencies, and result in excess mortality and, socioeconomic impact like lost work capacity and labour productivity. They can also cause loss of health service delivery capacity, when power shortages accompany heatwaves and disrupt health facilities, transport, and water infrastructure. Ordinarily, heat can affect health through a variety of direct and indirect mechanisms. Extended periods of high day and nighttime temperature conditions create cumulative stress on the human body, increasing the risk of illness and death from heat exposure.

In Nigeria, there is limited research on the impact of chronic (sustained) exposure to high temperatures and humidity. Awareness among health workers and the public also remains insufficient of the health risks posed by heat. We therefore urge the health authorities to adjust their guidance, planning, and interventions to account for increasing heat exposures. Health professionals should also be prepared to manage the acute increases in admissions associated with heatwaves. Practical, feasible and often low-cost interventions at the individual, community, organisational, governmental and societal levels can save lives.

Outdoor and manual workers, athletes and civil protection employees are exposed to excess heat because of their work, and susceptible to exertional heat stress. Urban and rural poor are often disproportionately exposed to overheating due to low quality housing and lack of access to cooling. Due to building materials, informal settlements are often hotter than other urban areas in some cities. Gender can play an important role in determining heat exposure, for example where women are primarily responsible for cooking indoors during hot weather.

The heat we currently experience neither reduces in the morning nor at night. To cushion its effects and prevent avoidable deaths, NiMet has urged the public to take essential precautions. Besides drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, people are advised to remain in well-ventilated or air-conditioned spaces where possible, wear hats, sunshades, and sunscreen when outdoors.  Light, breathable clothing keep infants cool, but they should never be left in closed, parked vehicles.

Unfortunately, as NiMet warns, the situation may not get better soon even when the negative health impacts of heat are predictable and largely preventable with specific public health and multi-sectoral policies and interventions. Action on climate change combined with comprehensive preparedness and risk management can save lives now and in the future.