According to Health Affairs Department sources, about 420 cases of asthma and allergy cases were reported in Eastern Province hospitals in seven hours after a sandstorm hit Dammam.

Asaad Saud, spokesman of the department, said the emergency sections of many hospitals received an unprecedented number of patients.

The Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Dammam received 260 cases, Dammam Medical Center 73 cases, Jubail General Hospital 40 cases and Qatif Central Hospital 47 cases. The majority of the victims were the elderly and children, he said.

“All government hospitals in the region are qualified to receive asthma and allergic patients as they have qualified doctors and modern medicines to treat such diseases,” the spokesman said.

He said Dr. Tarik Al-Salim, director general of health in the province, has instructed all hospitals to receive such emergency patients and provide them with necessary treatment without delay.

Al-Salim has instructed the public not to go outside during such extreme weather situations. “Even if they have to go out, they have to use medical masks to protect from such diseases,” he said.

He spoke about the department’s efforts to enhance public awareness on health matters.