ILOILO — Public transport drivers in Western Visayas face heightened health risks as temperatures soar, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to issue an advisory warning of potentially life-threatening heat-related illnesses and calling for strict hydration and safety measures.
The warning, issued during a March 25 media conference, underscores the vulnerability of drivers who are continuously exposed to extreme heat conditions while on duty, raising concerns not only for their health but also for passenger safety.
Dr. May Ann Soliva-Sta. Lucia, chief of the Local Health Support Division of DOH Region 6, stressed the importance of hydration and proactive measures to prevent heat-related illnesses.
“In the relentless heat of summer, it is essential for drivers to remain vigilant about their hydration levels,” Dr. Soliva-Sta. Lucia cautioned.
“We urge all drivers to consistently carry fluids, such as water or electrolyte drinks, with them and to replenish their intake regularly throughout the day,” she said.
It is equally important, she added, to take scheduled breaks, ideally resting in shaded or air-conditioned areas, especially during peak sunlight hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Health officials warned that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can trigger a range of conditions, from mild discomfort to life-threatening emergencies.
Among these are heat cramps, characterized by painful muscle spasms often accompanied by dizziness and nausea; heat exhaustion, which may cause extreme fatigue, heavy sweating, and even fainting; and heat syncope, or sudden loss of consciousness due to heat exposure.
Most alarming is heat stroke, a critical condition where body temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, leading to confusion, disorientation, hot and dry skin, and severe headaches, requiring immediate medical attention.
Heat rash, though less severe, can also cause discomfort through itchy, red bumps or blisters due to blocked sweat ducts.
To reduce risks, DOH-6 urged drivers to take immediate action at the first sign of symptoms, including moving to shaded or air-conditioned areas, removing heavy clothing, and cooling the body using water, fans, or ice packs placed on the neck, armpits, and groin.
Authorities also emphasized the need to seek emergency medical help if symptoms worsen or if the affected individual becomes unresponsive.
Beyond advisories, DOH-6 is rolling out direct interventions for transport workers through a two-day interagency caravan from March 26 to 27 in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6.
The initiative offers free health services, including routine medical assessments focusing on conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
“We have deployed a team consisting of one doctor and one nurse to conduct health assessments at the various locations. They will measure vital signs and collect information about the workers’ diets and alcohol consumption, particularly targeting high-risk roles such as drivers,” said Dr. Soliva-Sta. Lucia.
The DOH team will also distribute educational materials and encourage enrollment in the PhilPEN program, which provides access to essential medications.
“Those who require additional assistance will be referred to rural health units to ensure they can access the medications they need,” Dr. Soliva-Sta. Lucia added.
With extreme heat conditions expected to persist, health officials reiterated that vigilance, hydration, and early response are critical to preventing medical emergencies among drivers who remain vital to the region’s daily transport system./PN
