More than 100 patients suffering from asthma exacerbated by heavy dust storms were admitted to hospitals and primary health care centers in the Eastern Province on Thursday. Dr. Tariq Al-Salim, Director General of Eastern Province Health, issued directives to the region's hospitals to be on the alert. He advised those who have to go outside for necessary work to wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the dust and facemasks to protect the respiratory system. He stressed the importance of abiding by medical instructions issued regularly. Mrayyih Asiri, Assistant Director of Health Affairs in the Eastern Province, confirmed the existence of a state of alert in the directorate and said that work is going on round the clock to provide hospitals with the medicines they need due to the heavy concentration of dust in the air. He added that the number of beds in the Maternity and Children's Hospital have been increased to accommodate the large number of children requiring treatment for asthma.
