The Saarland Ministry of Health has made an initial assessment following the recent heatwave and appeals to the population to continue to consistently adhere to heat protection measures in the coming weeks. The number of deaths associated with the heat is estimated to be in the lower double-digit range. Particularly concerning is that the effects of the heat are mostly observed in the home environment.
The ministry conducted its own survey to gain an overview of heat-related hospital admissions as well as possible deaths. It showed that most people with heat-related complaints were admitted to hospitals from home environments, while only a few were transferred from inpatient care. However, the exact number of heat-related deaths cannot be reliably determined, as heat is usually not documented as a direct cause of death and is often a combination of pre-existing conditions and heat exposure.
The heatwave last weekend was historic for Saarland and Germany both in terms of the intensity of the temperatures and the duration of the period. The impacts were enormous. To be better prepared in the future, new approaches and tools are necessary to cope with heat events. Heat protection must be given a similarly high priority as fire protection. This also includes protecting hospitals and care facilities from extreme heat.
The Ministry of Health is in close contact with hospitals, care facilities, and municipalities to continue monitoring the situation and to be prepared for further heat waves. Many institutions have already developed heat protection plans that have proven effective. However, due to the expected increase in the frequency of heat waves, a long-term and sustainable approach is necessary, which the federal government, states, and municipalities must work on together to make cities, facilities, and daily life more resilient.
The general population can also protect themselves and especially vulnerable groups such as people living alone by exercising caution. Recommended measures include drinking enough fluids, ventilating only during cooler times of the day and shading living spaces, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities in the heat, as well as wearing sun protection and head coverings. In case of alarming symptoms such as confusion, high fever, or consciousness disturbances, the emergency services should be contacted immediately.
The Minister of Health thanked everyone who is contributing under difficult conditions, especially the employees in hospitals, nursing facilities, emergency services, and control centers who have maintained the healthcare system during the extreme temperatures.
The Saarland Ministry of Health and Care (SaarSMH) regulates responsibilities for heat protection at various levels: the state assumes overall control, the districts coordinate regionally, and the municipalities implement the measures practically. Hospitals and care facilities are responsible for protecting the persons entrusted to them through their own heat protection plans. The recommended heat protection measures primarily include adequate fluid intake, gentle ventilation, avoidance of physical exertion outdoors during heat, light nutrition, sun protection, and timely alerting in health emergencies.
