HYDERABAD: People should avoid exposure to direct sunlight between 11 am and 4 pm during the current heatwave to prevent heatstroke.
This was stated by Prof Dr Santosh Kumar, chairperson of Department of Medicines, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), at a heatstroke related programme held at the varsity on Friday.
He also advised that lightweight, cool-coloured clothing should be preferred during the summer, adding that covering the head with a wet cloth would provide effective relief. Furthermore, he explained that consuming fruits such as watermelon and cucumber would benefit health, while spicy and fried foods should be avoided.
Prof Santosh said that elderly people, expectant mothers, and those with diabetes or cardiac issues needed to take extra care. While heatstroke is treatable, he warned that it remains highly dangerous and can be life-threatening if the patient is not treated within 24 hours.
In the event of heatstroke, he said the patient should be moved immediately to a cool environment before medical help arrives. He advised that the patient’s body temperature be controlled using wet cloths, stressing that they must be shifted to a hospital without delay.
He added that it was dangerous if the body temperature of a heatstroke patient exceeded 40°C, as it could lead to kidney, neurological, and cardiopulmonary failure.
Prof Santosh noted that parts of Sindh were recording temperatures between 45°C and 48°C.
Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2026
