Extreme heatwave drives up emergency cases in northern Vietnam

Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi has reported a jump of up to 30 percent in heat-related emergencies.

Many of the patients admitted are young adults displaying symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Dr. Dang Tuan Dung of the emergency center at the hospital said on Tuesday that the center admits around 250 patients per day, but the figure has climbed to nearly 300 daily during the current heatwave.

“Outdoor temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, significantly affecting public health and increasing cases of sunburn, muscle cramps, fainting, and heatstroke,” Dr. Dung said.

“The most dangerous condition is heat shock.”

Many patients were young workers brought to the emergency room in a state of severe fatigue and excessive sweating, the doctor said.

In more serious cases, victims experienced dangerously high body temperatures, unconsciousness, or seizures.

The center has recently admitted a male construction worker who collapsed after prolonged exposure to intense sunlight while working outdoors.

The patient was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition involving muscle breakdown, along with acute kidney failure caused by dehydration.

After receiving emergency cooling treatment and hospital care, including intravenous fluids and treatment for acute muscle damage, the patient’s condition stabilized.

Meanwhile, Phu Tho General Hospital in northern Phu Tho Province has also treated two farmers who fell into critical heat shock and a coma after working continuously in high temperatures in open fields.

Apart from physical illnesses caused by the heat, Bach Mai Hospital’s Mental Health Institute has also recorded a rise in psychiatric admissions.

Dr. Duong Minh Tam from the institute said many patients with pre-existing psychotic disorders who were undergoing treatment at home have experienced worsening symptoms during the prolonged hot weather.

As temperatures in northern and central Vietnam continue hovering around 40 degrees Celsius, the Ministry of Health has issued warnings for residents to minimize outdoor activities, especially between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

The ministry also advised people who must work outdoors to schedule tasks during cooler hours of the day, reduce exposure to high-temperature environments, and protect vulnerable parts of the body such as the head, neck, and shoulders from direct sunlight.

Temperatures across northern and central Vietnam on Tuesday remained between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius, with some areas exceeding 39 degrees.

Some areas in Hanoi recorded temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius, the highest in the country.

The severe heatwave in the northern and central regions is forecast to continue through Thursday, according to the national weather center.

Widespread heat in northern Vietnam is expected to subside from Friday, while central Vietnam is also forecast to see a gradual decline in temperatures in the coming days.