As the Dominican Republic grapples with a sustained wave of extreme high temperatures, the nation’s top health official has issued a urgent public call to reinforce heat-related preventive habits to avoid life-threatening health complications.
Speaking from the capital Santo Domingo, Health Minister Víctor Atallah, a practicing cardiologist, outlined clear, actionable guidance for the general public to mitigate heat-related risks, which range from mild dehydration and exhaustion to fatal heat stroke. Atallah emphasized that proactive hydration is the first line of defense: he advised residents to drink water at regular intervals throughout the day, rather than waiting until feelings of thirst set in. This guidance carries extra weight for people who work outdoors, engage in regular outdoor exercise, or spend extended time in open, unshaded areas.
Beyond hydration, the minister outlined additional core preventive steps. The public is advised to avoid unprotected exposure to direct sunlight during the peak hot hours of the day, and to scale back intense physical activity performed outdoors. For workers who are required to perform labor in direct sun, Atallah recommended taking frequent, short breaks in cool, shaded areas and maintaining consistent hydration throughout shifts.
He also shared lifestyle adjustments to help the body regulate temperature: wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, ensuring residential and commercial spaces remain well-ventilated, and using cool showers or cool damp cloths to lower body temperature when overheating occurs.
Atallah stressed that vulnerable populations require extra monitoring and care during extreme heat events. These groups include infants and young children, older adults, and people living with chronic pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, kidney disease, and diabetes.
In one critical safety reminder, the minister warned against leaving children, vulnerable adults, or companion pets inside closed parked vehicles – even for just a few minutes. Internal vehicle temperatures can spike to dangerous, lethal levels in a matter of minutes in high heat, creating entirely preventable risk of death or severe injury.
To help the public identify early signs of heat-related illness, Atallah outlined common early symptoms that signal the body is struggling with excessive heat: dizziness, persistent headache, general weakness, nausea, unexpected muscle cramps, extreme thirst, and fatigue. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to immediately stop all physical activity, relocate to a cool shaded space, and begin rehydrating with cool water.
The minister clarified that more severe symptoms require immediate emergency medical care. These include confusion, disorientation, loss of consciousness, or a dangerously elevated core body temperature – all hallmark signs of heat stroke, a life-threatening condition that requires urgent intervention.
Closing his appeal to the public, Atallah emphasized that extreme heat risks should not be underestimated, and urged all Dominican residents to follow official public health guidance. He concluded that consistent, simple daily preventive measures are enough to significantly reduce the risk of serious heat-related health complications during this period of extreme heat.