Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. INQUIRER.net file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said it has so far recorded 118 cases of heat exhaustion — all of whom are students — caused by the summer heat in March.
In a press conference, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that 33 of the cases were from four high schools in Valenzuela City on March 9.
On the other hand, the other 85 cases were from Cabuyao, Laguna students on March 24.
Meanwhile, some 85 students in Cabuyao, Laguna also suffered from heat exhaustion on March 24, she added.
“For now, wala pa tayong na-report na severe o kaya naging critical dahil dito,” said Vergeire.
(We haven’t reported anything severe or critical because of this.)
“Kung sila man ay nadala sa ospital, sila naman po ay binigyan lamang ng first aid o karampatang lunas at pinauwi pagkatapos,” she added.
(If they were taken to the hospital, they were only given first aid or appropriate treatment and sent home afterward.)
Vergeire states heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can lead to heat stroke. Its symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headache, and extreme thirst.
“Itong heat exhaustion is a level that can lead also to heat stroke kung hindi maaagaran,” she explained.
(This heat exhaustion level can also lead to heat stroke if not treated immediately.)
Due to this, Vergeire reminded the public to ensure that they are protected from the summer heat by wearing light clothing, avoiding direct sunlight, and staying hydrated.
Skin cancer
Meanwhile, Vergeire, in the same briefing, also announced that the DOH has so far recorded 2,700 cases of skin cancer among Filipinos from 2011 to 2021.
“Constant exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, that is a known fact, dito sa Pilipinas, ang skin cancer is the 26th (here in the Philippines, skin cancer is the 26th) form of cancer happening across the population,” said Vergeire.
Citing data from the Philippine Dermatological Society from 2011 to 2021, Vergeire said some 2,102 people developed basal cell skin cancer and 614 had squamous cell skin cancer.
“So para po makaiwas tayo sa mga ganito, because this is really preventable, ang paglabas sa araw ay ating iiwasan lalo na ‘pag matindi ang sikat ng araw, and always wear sun protection,” said Vergeire.
(To avoid this, because this is preventable, we advise the public to avoid going out in the sun, especially when the sun is too hot and always wear sun protection.)
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