Government and Policy

China beefs up health emergency response to heat wave

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-07 22:43

BEIJING - China's Ministry of Health issued a circular Wednesday advising the nation's medical facilities to gear up for a rise in the number of people suffering from heat-stroke and other heat related ailments given the recent hot temperatures.

Related readings:  Lingering heatwave hits people's daily life  Heat wave sends power generation to new high  Heat leaves many motorists out in the cold  Sizzling heat wreaks havoc, rains expected Thursday

The number of people suffering from heat-stroke and related disorders has risen sharply over the last few days, reads the circular without giving specific figures.

Beijing-based Chaoyang hospital reported a significant increase of cases showing heat-induced symptoms such as dizziness, according to the Health News, the health ministry-run newspaper.

The hospital has 450 such cases in emergency care each day now, compared to 360 cases just a few days ago.

The ministry ordered hospitals across the nation to make sure people suffering from heat stroke get timely and proper treatment.

Beijing reported an average temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius at 4 p.m. Monday, the highest temperature in the first 10 days of July in 50 years.

The capital city cooled a little bit Wednesday, and rains are expected for China eastern regions starting Thursday, offering some respite.