Dozens hospitalized daily due to heat wave in Syria’s Qamishli
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A director of a hospital said on Wednesday that they treat dozens of people with various conditions on a daily basis due to rising temperatures in the city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria.
Furat Maqdisi, Director of the al-Salam Hospital, said exposure to high temperatures resulted in many viral and infectious diseases, including a virus causing symptoms akin to those of Covid-19.
He pointed out the prevalent cases are gastrointestinal problems, acute intestinal inflammation, and bacterial infections.
Maqdisi added that a new disease similar to the coronavirus has emerged this, but with milder symptoms, including a high fever that might reach up to 40 degrees, fatigue, digestive problems, diarrhea, abdominal and chest pains.
He explained that medical cases have increased significantly above their annual average rate and affect all age groups.
Lack of water consumption, general shortage of water in households, and lack of electricity and power are all factors contributing to the spread of the disease among the population, Maqdisi added.
Since early 2024, areas in Northeast Syria in general suffer from lack of water, fuel, and power resources following the latest Turkish attacks that targeted vital infrastructure and power generating plants.
This made the population resort to unsanitary solutions to meet basic needs. People buy and consume water delivered by private tankers that fill up from water wells not suitable of drinking.
By Nalin Ali