Aiming to spread summer safety information among the community, the Health Bureau (SSM), in conjunction with local associations, will set up “Health Community Pop-up Stations” across five districts in the peninsula and Taipa from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, covering Iao Hon and Areia Preta; Patane (Sa Lei Tao) and Fai Chi Kei; the central district (Jung Koi); Praia do Manduco (Ha Van) and Nape (Wohng Chiuh); and Taipa, SSM Centre for Disease Control and Prevention senior official Wong Ka Ian announced in yesterday’s press conference held at the SSM Health Emergency Personnel Residence Hall on Guia Hill.
The Health Bureau announced its “Summer Accident Prevention and Emergency Management”, with the aim of educating residents on how to prevent common summer accidents and apply correct first aid measures, thereby enhancing public safety awareness, self-rescue and mutual rescue capabilities.
Wong added that each pop-up station will feature an information booth where interactive games will convey messages on drowning prevention, heatstroke prevention, and sports safety. Participants who complete the games will receive a small gift.
Wong pointed out that summer is the traditional peak season for water activities, adding that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), key risk factors for drowning include a lack of risk awareness, inadequate preparation, and a lack of adult supervision of young children.
Wong reminded the public that when engaging in water activities, one should pay attention to personal health conditions, follow safety rules, always supervise children and toddlers, monitor weather changes, use proper equipment and warm up adequately, and be wary of household water storage containers to prevent young children from accessing them unsupervised.
Dr Tam Ka Lok, attending physician in the Emergency Department of the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre (CHCSJ), warned the public that in hot and humid environments, the body easily suffers from heat-related illnesses, a range of acute physical discomforts caused by the body’s inability to regulate its temperature properly, including heat syncope (fainting), heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
Dr Tam advised the public to remember five steps for pre-hospital management of heat-related injuries: seek shade, remove excess clothing, cool the body, rehydrate, and seek medical attention.
The director of the Health Bureau’s Seac Pai Van Health Centre, Tam Kwong Ho, recommended that residents prioritise safety, exercise within their limits, and avoid comparing themselves to others.
The Health Bureau’s (SSM) Seac Pai Van Health Centre Director Tam Kwong Ho (centre), SSM Centre for Disease Control and Prevention senior official Wong Ka Ian (right), and Dr Tam Ka Lok, attending physician in the Emergency Department of public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre (CHCSJ), look on during yesterday’s press conference about the bureau’s “Summer Accident Prevention and Emergency Management”, at the SSM Health Emergency Personnel Residence Hall on Guia Hill. – Photo: Ida Cheong
