By Moin Ullah Shah
KARACHI: Anticipating a possible heatwave, authorities in Karachi have launched precautionary measures aimed at protecting citizens from heatstroke, including setting up water stalls and heatwave response camps at bus stops, markets and public places across the city.
A meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi was held at his office with deputy commissioners and representatives of relevant departments. It was decided that heatstroke prevention camps would be established across all districts, while hospitals would be placed on high alert to deal with any emergency situations during extreme heat.
Officials said the camps would provide immediate first aid facilities, cold drinking water, oral rehydration solution, shaded areas, wet towels and basic medical assistance. It was also decided that dedicated arrangements would be made in hospitals for heatwave patients, including special treatment facilities at major health centers such as Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Civil Hospital Karachi.
The commissioner directed that all heatstroke centers must remain exempt from power outages. He also instructed K-Electric to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to all such facilities.
During the meeting, officials briefed that multiple camps had already been established across districts. In District Central alone, eight camps were set up at different locations, including Gulberg, FB Area, Karimabad, New Karachi, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad and North Nazimabad, while additional camps were also established in District South, Keamari and Korangi.
Deputy commissioners informed the meeting that further sites were being identified to expand coverage.
Commissioner Naqvi directed all deputy commissioners to strictly follow meteorological forecasts and take proactive steps to protect citizens from heatstroke. He stressed that coordination between municipal bodies, health departments and utility providers was essential to prevent any untoward situation during the heatwave period.
