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Dubai labourer dies from heat stroke

A 20-year-old man died on Monday at Dubai Hospital from heat stroke, while a 28-year-old labourer had to resuscitated and treated for heat exhaustion at the Rashid Hospital Trauma Centre on Tuesday.

  • By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:07 July 9, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Hospitals have begun reporting heat-related deaths and injuries as the UAE moves squarely into summer, with temperatures reaching 51C in some places and humidity at 80 per cent.

A 20-year-old man died on Monday at Dubai Hospital from heat stroke, while a 28-year-old labourer had to resuscitated and treated for heat exhaustion at the Rashid Hospital Trauma Centre on Tuesday.

Dr Mohammad Al Jamal, head of the emergency department at Dubai Hospital, told Gulf News the unidentified man was brought in around 5pm after police found him near Naif.

"He was completely unconscious. We tried treating him but after 20 minutes, he passed away," Dr Al Jamal said.

"We took his temperature and it was 44C," he said. The normal body temperature is 37C.

Ready to receive cases

Dr Al Jamal said the hospital was now trying to determine the man's identity, believing him to be a Nepali. The doctor also said the man was a labourer but was not attached to any company.

Yesterday, a 28-year-old electrician was taken to the Rashid Hospital Trauma Centre, after he collapsed from heat exhaustion at work.

Pradeed, an Indian national, was working indoors at a construction site in Deira when he complained of chest pains and collapsed. His colleagues took him to the centre around 12.20pm.

His friend, who declined to be identified, told Gulf News Pradeed had not been feeling well.

"He was not eating in the morning," he said. He added that the heat conditions at the work site was not extreme but admitted it could still have affected Pradeed if he had not been feeling well.

A hospital medical employee confirmed Pradeed had had heat exhaustion. "It wasn't heat stroke. If it was, he would have been admitted. But we treated him for an hour and half with fluids and he recovered well enough to be discharged," she said.

Pradeed's case is the first major heat-related illness case received at the centre this summer. The centre received about 10 cases since June 30. Dubai Hospital too has received 10 cases during the same period.

Beat the summer

Dr Mohammad Al Jamal, head of the emergency department at Dubai Hospital, advised the public to take the following steps to beat the heat:

- Avoid working/playing in hot and humid environments, especially during mid-day

- Drink plenty of cold water and drinks laden with electrolytes, such as fresh juices and sports drinks

- Avoid caffeine, stimulants and alcohol, which increase the body's heat production

- Stay in well-ventilated and open areas

- Wear cool clothing made from light absorbent material, such as cotton that will absorb sweat and help evaporation of sweat

- If feeling very hot, spray your clothes with water and stand in front of a fan

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