KLANG: Malaysians have been advised to take care of their health amid the current hot spell which could last till end of this month.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said staying hydrated was important and advised Malaysians to drink as much water as they can.
Dehydration, he said, could lead to more health complications especially those who are suffering from illnesses.
"If people with illnesses do not take enough water, they will have other health complications. So it is vital to ensure they take enough water to stay hydrated.
"In the midst of extreme weathers, intense physical activity in the open should be avoided because it can further complicate one's health and face the risk of developing other health problems," he said.
However, he said there has been no spike in the number of patients seeking medical treatment due to the weather.
Dr Subramaniam asked Malaysians to heed the advice to stay healthy amid the extreme temperature until the hot and dry weather gets back to normal.
As of 1pm today, the Malaysian Meteorological Department's website showed that the temperature in Petaling Jaya was 35 degrees celsius.
The heatwave is expected to last until the end of the month and the scorching heat is predicted to fall on March 20 due to the equinox phenomenon.
Dr Subramaniam was speaking earlier after the ground-breaking ceremony of SJKT Taman Sentosa which will be the country's 525th Tamil school when it is completed in the first half of 2017.
The RM23 million school which sits on a piece of 1.8 ha land started its construction about three months ago will be able to accommodate 960 Year 1 to Year 6 pupils.
Dr Subramaniam said the need for a Tamil school in the area was requested a long time ago by some 5,000 families there.
"The demand was brought to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and with the allocation of funds, the need for this school has materialised.
"Apart from fulfulling education needs, the school would also bring about social impact as with the facilities provided, the community can organise events here.
"I hope the residents here will make full use of it and children to get the best of education," he said.