Ambulance service received over 166,000 calls during four days of extreme heat

The Ministry of Health said on July 17 that all calls made to the national 103 emergency service during the period of abnormally high temperatures were processed in accordance with established procedures, and patients received timely medical assistance.

According to Abduvoitjon Gofurov, Director of the Republican Center for Emergency Medical Care, people with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes are particularly vulnerable during periods of extreme heat. Older adults, pregnant women, and children are also among the highest-risk groups.

"It is essential to keep these groups under medical supervision and provide emergency care whenever necessary," Gofurov said. "Chronic illnesses are more likely to worsen during extreme heat, which significantly increases the responsibility of emergency medical personnel."

Despite the high temperatures, the number of emergency calls remained broadly unchanged. Gofurov attributed this to public awareness efforts carried out by government agencies through the media and social networks, which encouraged people to follow safety recommendations during the heatwave.

According to the ministry, the number of emergency calls recorded over the past four days did not increase significantly compared with the previous four-day period, from July 9–12.

Health authorities advised residents to avoid going outdoors during the hottest hours of the day unless necessary, drink plenty of water, and limit the consumption of fatty, fried, and heavily salted foods. Instead, they recommended eating easily digestible meals and vegetable salads.

The ministry also pointed to the latest forecast from the Center of Hydrometeorological Service of Uzbekistan (Uzhydromet), which expects temperatures to begin falling across the country on July 21. Air temperatures are forecast to decrease by 6–9°C, bringing relief after several days of extreme heat.