Abuja:According to News Agency of Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines aimed at preventing heat-related illnesses at large public events. The guidelines are based on evidence showing that most heat-related medical issues can be addressed on-site with proper risk assessment and response measures.
The WHO’s evidence review analyzed studies from 1980 to 2025, documenting nearly 500,000 medical encounters at mass gatherings, including over 22,000 heat-related cases. It was found that over 90% of these patients could be treated at the event venues themselves, which helps to alleviate pressure on local hospitals and emergency services.
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, emphasized that extreme heat poses a growing risk to health and safety at mass gatherings. He highlighted the necessity of considering heat as both an environmental hazard and an operational challenge that requires ongoing risk management and preparedness.
The review also noted that heat-related deaths have surged by approximately 63% since the 1990s, with an annual average of 546,000 deaths recorded between 2012 and 2021. Factors such as extended outdoor exposure, dense crowds, limited water access, and travel stress can increase heat risks at major events.
The WHO’s guidance suggests measures such as providing safe drinking water, cooling infrastructure, and efficient crowd management to mitigate these risks. It also stresses the importance of workforce protection, public communication, health surveillance, and well-equipped medical services on-site.
The guidelines adopt a comprehensive approach by considering various aspects like venue design, transport, security, and sanitation, which can all affect access to cooling and medical care. They are intended to complement national heat-health action plans and other emergency preparedness protocols.
Dr. Ihekweazu urged governments and event organizers to integrate heat-risk management into their health planning and operations for mass gatherings globally.