Dr Jan ‘Plankie’ Fourie, Dundee’s resident doctor, usually spends his Christmas at his practice tending to up to 30 patients per day. Medical treatment is an essential service and as a result, he has no choice but to work on Christmas.

“I usually work, go home and eat and come back,” he says matter-of-factly. This attitude is what drives Dr Fourie to help people even on special days. Commonly the doctor deals with gastric flu because of the heat, ‘babalaas’ (hangovers), trauma, and chronic patients mainly with high blood pressure.

Dr Fourie advises families to have a first aid kit in each household to deal with minor injuries and to keep everything in moderation. “If you eat, don’t eat too much [and] if you drink, don’t drink too much” he warns. With this kind of dedication, the community can rest assured that they are in good hands, medically.

Take these tips to avoid a babalaas:

Eat foods high in fat and carbohydrates. Get vitamin B from supplements or from meat and dairy. Stick to one type of drink. Go easy on cocktails, dark liquors, and sparkling wine. Drink a glass of water after each alcoholic drink. Avoid calorie-free mixers like diet soda. Pay attention to your body’s alcohol tolerance. End the night with a large glass of water.