Construction worker in Langkawi suffers heat cramps due to heat wave - New Straits Time Online
New Straits Time Online, 13 April 2016
(file pix) Dr Norhizan advised the public to follow the health tips given by the state Health Department in order to prevent any health issues due to the heatwave, which can lead to death, should they delay in seeking medical attention.
ALOR STAR: A Thai national who was working at a construction site in Langkawi fainted due to heatstroke after working for about four hours under the scorching sun yesterday.
State Health director Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail who confirmed the incident said that the 46-year-old is currently still receiving treatment at the Langkawi Hospital.
"It was learnt that the man had been working continuously under the scorching heat at a construction site in Langkawi for about four hours when the incident took place.
"During the 3pm incident, his colleague noticed that he experienced muscle cramps on both his hands and rushed him to the Langkawi Hospital.
"He however became unconscious as soon as they arrived and was immediately given treatment by the hospital's Emergency Unit. During that time his body temperature rose to 42 degrees Celsius," he said.
According to Dr Norhizan, the worker's body temperature reduced to 39.7 degree Celsius after about an hour.
"With the recent incident in Langkawi, there are so far a total of 18 heatwave-related cases reported in the state. The first incident took place on March 2.
"From the total 18 cases, three of the cases involved heat cramps, 14 cases involved heat exhaustion and one heatstroke.
"Among the victims, seven were students, which include one case that took place in school with the other seven outside school hours.
"Two of the cases reported also involved children aged three and five, one case involved an 81-year-old senior citizen and the remaining eight cases involved those between 20 and 51," he said.
Dr Norhizan also said that six of the victims were warded while 12 only received outpatient treatment.
Dr Norhizan advised the public to follow the health tips given by the state Health Department in order to prevent any health issues due to the heatwave, which can lead to death, should they delay in seeking medical attention.
