Set up on August 18, the heatwave info service toll-free number received 2,901 calls until it closed on August 26, the office of the Minister of Health, Aurélien Rousseau, and the Directorate General of Health told us. “This has been one of the highest call volumes for the heat wave telephone platform for several years”, underlines, with 20 minutesthe Directorate General for Health.
“Do I have to open my windows? Should I drink? And if so, in what quantity? “: these are the questions that could be asked on 0800 06 66 66. The device is not new since it has existed since 2005 and was launched after the deadly heat wave of 2003 by Xavier Bertrand, then Minister of Health.
30% of callers are over 65
The announcement of its launch in mid-August had been widely mocked on social networks and by political opponents, who denounced the government’s lack of anticipation in the face of heat waves or tackled the profusion of toll-free numbers launched by the executive. However, the Directorate General for Health defends the usefulness of this tool, which is part of its communication-prevention system linked to heat waves, alongside the dissemination of prevention messages in the media.
“This platform provides personalized advice to the general public, she argues, it can be the elderly, immunocompromised people or parents for their children, athletes, etc. Of the 2,900 callers, 30% were over 65 and asked for practical advice on how to protect themselves from the heat, adds the DGS.
An indicator on questions raised by the general public
The toll-free number is not automatically triggered with each heatwave episode. The Directorate General for Health produces an analysis “to assess the health impact of a heat wave in connection with the bulletins of Météo-France” and a decision is taken accordingly.
The telephone platform is a tool that had already been put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. “It’s also an indicator that allows us to get feedback on the questions that the general public asks and possibly adapt our prevention messages or the system,” adds the DGS.