To prevent a heat stroke, it is important for pilgrims to avoid dehydration.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Health Ministry called on Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to stay vigilant and anticipate heat stroke while conducting the main Hajj rituals in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna), considering the hot weather conditions in Saudi Arabia.

"Hajj pilgrims must be vigilant to heat stroke, especially during their stay at Arafah and while carrying out Rami al-Jamarat (Stoning of the Devil) in Mina," Head of the Indonesian Hajj Health Office (KKHI) in Medina Tri Atmaja stated.

Quoting a press release received here on Monday, heat stroke occurs in people, as their bodies are exposed to high temperatures directly, thereby causing an increase in body temperature to reach more than 40 degrees Celsius.

Head of KKHI in Medina noted that pilgrims will conduct the rituals in Armuzna from June 27 to July 1, 2023.

The weather during the day at those locations at that time is forecast to reach 44 degrees Celsius.

"If heat stroke is not treated immediately, then it can damage internal organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys," he noted.

Hence, he said that pilgrims should be able to recognize some of the symptoms of heat stroke, such as body temperature increasing to more than 40 degrees Celsius, fatigue, as well as having hot and dry skin.

Other symptoms include rising pulse and respiratory rate, difficulty in thinking and concentrating, as well as drowsiness. People experiencing a heat stroke may also go into a state of coma.

"The most important aspects are recognizing pilgrims with heat stroke symptoms as quickly as possible and treating them immediately to prevent further complications due to the condition," Atmaja emphasized.

Hence, to this end, several health workers will be deployed at various locations along the route where the pilgrims carry out the Rami al-Jamarat, he revealed.

Thus, pilgrims, who experience symptoms of heat stroke, can be treated immediately, he stated.

"To prevent a heat stroke, it is important for pilgrims to avoid dehydration. Do not let yourself to be thirsty,” head of KKHI in Medina stressed.

Hence, he urged all pilgrims to drink 200 milliliters (ml) of water every hour as well as 200 ml of oral rehydration solution (ORS) per day.

The pilgrims are also urged to bring along a small wet towel to compress their body in order to reduce their body temperature to prevent heat stroke.

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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