THE Health Ministry (MOH) today suggested that activities outside the classroom be temporarily suspended in locations with level one hot weather status, which is the daily maximum temperature above 35 degrees celsius to 37 degrees celsius.
“School students are among the groups at high risk of getting the effects of health problems due to exposure to hot weather due to physiological factors and lack of water intake,” Health Director-General Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said in a statement.
According to Dr Radzi, prolonged exposure to hot weather can be harmful to health, especially for high-risk groups such as children, the elderly, and those suffering from chronic diseases.
The MOH advised parents to ensure that their children drink enough water and for those who are fasting, it is recommended to drink enough water during suhoor and break the fast.
He said if the weather status changes to a ‘heat wave’ status, the Education Ministry (MOE) can take action with several existing action plans.
The ministry could act based on the Action Plan for Dealing with Heat Waves 2016, the Health Risk Management Action Plan The 2021 Heat Wave by the MOH and the Guidelines for the Closure of Educational Institutions by the MOH.
Heatwave status refers to the daily maximum temperature exceeding 37 degrees celsius to 40 degrees celsius.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) yesterday (March 22) said Perlis has experienced a heat wave since March 19, while most of the state of Kedah (Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Pokok Sena, Kota Setar, Kuala Muda, Pendang, Sik, Baling) and some of the state of Perak (Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta) experienced level one hot weather.
MetMalaysia also expects dry and hot weather with temperatures above 35 degrees celsius to occur in most places in the Peninsula and Sabah until April 2024, Bernama reported. – March 23, 2024
Main photo credit: BusinessToday
