Rising temperatures prompt health ministry to warn against heat stress
Muscat – With the mercury climbing across the sultanate, the Ministry of Health has issued a renewed call for public caution, highlighting the risks associated with heat stress.
As part of its nationwide 'Safe Summer' awareness campaign, the ministry is encouraging residents to stay informed and take early action to protect themselves during the sweltering summer months.
The awareness campaign aims to educate the public on staying healthy and safe during extreme heat conditions.
According to the advisory, early signs of heat stress may include profuse sweating, fatigue, intense thirst, and mild headaches. Other symptoms to watch for are nausea, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle cramps, a rapid heartbeat, and noticeable changes in skin condition, such as redness or warmth.
In some cases, individuals may develop cool or moist skin with slight paleness. An elevated body temperature, typically ranging between 38 and 39.5 degrees Celsius, is also a key indicator.
The ministry has urged the public to seek shade, stay well hydrated, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat hours to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Award reflects efforts to ensure safety of pilgrims
Muscat: The Health Capability Award, which Oman won recently, reflects the integrated efforts to ensure the health and safety of Omani pilgrims. Efforts have been crowned with success in ensuring the safety of pilgrims and their physical ability to endure the rigors of the journey and perform Haj rituals safely. These efforts are a result of the Sultanate of Oman's strict adherence to the health capacity requirements as part of the Haj registration and acceptance procedures. This success in ensuring the safety and health of Omani pilgrims led to the Sultanate of Oman receiving the Health Capability Award from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in recognition of its mission's efforts in providing distinguished health services to pilgrims during the 2025 Haj season. According to Dr Ali bin Zayed al Busaidy, head of the Omani Haj delegation, the medical delegation was formed at the end of last December. The Saudi Ministry of Health received the scientific certificates for translation and certification, provided necessary vaccinations to pilgrims, approved and certified medications; and followed necessary procedures with Saudi authorities. Health education efforts were also made to educate Omani pilgrims about their health before their departure to the Holy Land. Dr Ali bin Zayed al Busaidy Al Busaidy added that coordination with relevant authorities contributed to integration and cooperation to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims. The Omani side, in coordination with the relevant authorities in the Saudi Ministry of Health, ensured necessary health measures during the 1446 AH Haj season and endeavoured to adhere to required requirements. Contracts were signed with a company to supervise Omani Haj delegation services, making it the second country to sign supervision services according to Saudi health requirements. Contracts were implemented to provide ambulance transportation services and manage medical waste. The Ministry of Health, with the support of the Omani Haj delegation, ensured that the Makkah Al Mukarramah clinic was equipped with all necessary medical equipment and devices to provide health, treatment and preventive services. Ambulance centres in Mina and Arafat were also equipped to ensure health services during the pilgrims' stay. Patients were transferred to Saudi hospitals according to established procedures and inpatients were monitored daily to determine treatment plans and ensure adequate healthcare. This achievement is the result of teamwork, integration and cooperation between the health sector and all relevant parties, reflecting the Sultanate of Oman's ongoing commitment to providing the highest standards of healthcare to ensure the health and safety of Omani pilgrims.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Ministry of Health warns against heat stress during summer
Muscat: As summer temperatures continue to soar across the Sultanate of Oman, the Ministry of Health (MoH) urged the public, especially those working outdoors, to remain vigilant against the dangers of heat stress. In a statement issued by MoH as part of its 'Safe Summer' campaign, the Ministry highlighted 12 early warning signs of heat stress that may precede serious heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke. These include profuse sweating, intense thirst, fatigue or general tiredness, and mild headaches. According to MoH, there are other critical symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, dizziness or light-headedness, and a rapid heartbeat. Physical signs such as muscle cramps, irritability or difficulty concentrating, and redness or warmth of the skin were also listed as red flags. In some cases, individuals may exhibit cool or moist skin with slight palenes, which a misleading indicator that can mask the severity of the condition. The Ministry further warned that a body temperature between 38 to 39.5 degrees Celsius should be treated as an urgent signal for intervention to prevent escalation into heatstroke, a potentially fatal condition. The campaign comes amid increasing concerns over the health of workers in construction, agriculture, and similar sectors, where prolonged exposure to high temperatures is common. Employers have been reminded of their responsibility to implement heat mitigation measures, including shaded rest areas, proper hydration, and adjusted working hours during peak heat periods. Individuals are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention if any of the symptoms are observed, particularly in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
Muscat Daily
a day ago
- Muscat Daily
Rising temperatures prompt health ministry to warn against heat stress
Muscat – With the mercury climbing across the sultanate, the Ministry of Health has issued a renewed call for public caution, highlighting the risks associated with heat stress. As part of its nationwide 'Safe Summer' awareness campaign, the ministry is encouraging residents to stay informed and take early action to protect themselves during the sweltering summer months. The awareness campaign aims to educate the public on staying healthy and safe during extreme heat conditions. According to the advisory, early signs of heat stress may include profuse sweating, fatigue, intense thirst, and mild headaches. Other symptoms to watch for are nausea, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle cramps, a rapid heartbeat, and noticeable changes in skin condition, such as redness or warmth. In some cases, individuals may develop cool or moist skin with slight paleness. An elevated body temperature, typically ranging between 38 and 39.5 degrees Celsius, is also a key indicator. The ministry has urged the public to seek shade, stay well hydrated, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat hours to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.
