DAVAO CITY – Davao del Norte Provincial Health Officer Dr. Agapito Hornido said athletes of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa “are at risk in high temperatures”.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division said the province posted an average heat index of 37 degree Celsius for the past days.
Hornido, who heads the Palaro Medical Team, however, assured the public that they are ready for any emergency.
Hornido said they are geared up to respond to heat exhaustion and stroke, among other medical emergencies starting Monday with more than 400 members of the medical team.
The medical team, Hornido said, has 21-bed Palaro Medical Operations Center (MOC), which offers free consultation, medicines, minor treatment, ECG, physio-therapy, dental and other services.
The opening ceremonies of the national games was moved to May 4 to give the players chance to see the Pacquiao-Mayweather megafight in an outdoor viewing party at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.
The Department of Education also banned some outdoor sports from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to avoid athletes suffering from heat stroke.
Hornido said they have already attended to dozens of athletes, with most of them showing signs of heat exhaustion. Some even fainted during intense training.
