Doctors warn about heat risks at work
The Republic of Moldova is currently experiencing an orange heatwave, which is significantly impacting daily life. In villages, the streets become nearly deserted at noon, prompting locals to schedule their activities during the early morning hours to avoid the intense heat. Residents report coping with the heat by staying hydrated, wearing hats, and taking breaks in the shade. However, doctors caution that prolonged sun exposure without proper protection can lead to severe sunstroke and other health issues.
In the village of Sagaidacul Nou, the locals have quickly adapted to the heatwave. The hard work in the yard or in the fields is finished before the sun is up, and special attention is paid to the farm animals, who feel the heat to the fullest.
“We wake up in the morning, work quickly until around 10 am. We feed the birds and then go inside. We drink water constantly, it’s good that there is water”, says Elena Demian.
“At noon I bring water to the goat. I brought the goat to the shade, and if the weather cools down, I will take it to pasture,”, says Pantelimon Demian.
People acknowledge that the heat is noticeably impacting their health, but they cannot entirely postpone agricultural work.
"We drink as much water as possible and cover our heads with hats. I see that you are working. It's hard, but we still go to the shade and protect ourselves as best we can."
"We tend to stay indoors more because of this extreme heat. We're experiencing headaches, and our blood pressure is rising."
"I really struggled while mowing; I was sweating a lot. But I have to work. I only drink water, and if I start feeling unwell, I drink even more."
Village traders noticed a shift in buyers' schedules, leading to record sales of refreshments.
"Customers are coming in more during the evening. During the day, they are busy with work or just trying to stay cool at home. They mainly buy water and ice cream. Ice cream is in demand, and we are purchasing a lot of it," says vendor Tatiana Rîșneanu.
Doctors warn that spending a full day working under the intense sun can lead to hospitalization if proper hydration and protection measures are not taken.
"Regularly consuming fluids, avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine, and limiting sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. are essential precautions. In cases of sunstroke or dehydration, we recommend moving the person to a cool, well-ventilated, or air-conditioned area. It's important to remove thick and tight clothing and actively cool the body by applying cold compresses", said family doctor Ala Moldovanu.
Meteorologists warn that the heat wave is expected to persist for the foreseeable future. High temperatures are predicted for the next several days, and starting on June 30, the Republic of Moldova will be under a red heatwave warning. This heat wave is anticipated to bring temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in the southern part of the country.
