After seeing a rush of patients in its emergency department yesterday, including a surge in stomach upsets, Hamad Medical Corp. is bracing itself for a busy Eid holiday.

Some 1,200 people cycled through the ER yesterday, including 85 heart attacks, a dozen accidents and two deaths from stomach ailments, the Peninsula reports

Hamad, which has assigned some two dozen doctors to work around the clock at the ER for the next three days, often sees an uptick in severe stomach ailments during Eid al-Adha holiday after residents gorge themselves on the sheep and goats that were slaughtered to mark the occasion.

Thursday’s showing may also have been caused by people over-eating after fasting on the day of Arafah, a tradition observed by many Muslims the day before Eid al-Adha begins. 

Doctors have advised residents to take care this holiday by not eating too much meat, fatty food and sweets.

How do you indulge?

Credit: Photo by Taryn