- A new survey indicates that more than 75 per cent of respiratory disease cases in Siaya County affect children under five years.
- The study attributes the high burden to widespread use of firewood and charcoal for cooking in households.
- EPRA, CDS Africa and the Siaya County Government have launched specialised medical camps to tackle the growing health challenge.
A recent survey on respiratory diseases in Siaya County has revealed that more than 75 per cent of respiratory illnesses affect children below the age of five, raising concerns over the impact of poor household energy sources on children’s health and early learning.
The findings, released by the Chronic Disease Society Africa (CDS Africa), indicate that young children across the county’s six sub-counties bear the greatest burden of respiratory diseases, with many experiencing illnesses that disrupt their health and early childhood education.
The survey attributes the high number of respiratory illnesses to poor household living conditions, particularly the continued use of unclean cooking fuels such as firewood and charcoal.
Speaking during a specialised medical camp organised by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) in Siaya Town, CDS Africa Chairperson Faith Okwayo described Siaya as one of the country’s most affected counties due to widespread dependence on unclean energy.
CDS Africa chairperson Faith Okwayo.
Okwayo said the organisation had partnered with EPRA and the Siaya County Government to implement targeted interventions aimed at reducing respiratory diseases, especially among children.
She said the initiative includes specialised medical camps expected to serve between 2,000 and 3,000 patients by offering free screening, diagnosis and treatment.
The camps will also provide specialised services for chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma, lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases, with pulmonologists participating in the programme.
Promoting clean energy
EPRA Director General Eng. Dr. Joseph Okech said the initiative forms part of the Authority’s corporate social responsibility programme in support of the Government’s universal health agenda.
He observed that many respiratory illnesses in Siaya are linked to smoke produced by cooking with firewood and charcoal.
Dr. Okech urged households to embrace clean cooking technologies to reduce respiratory diseases and improve public health.
Siaya County Chief Nursing Officer Geoffrey Otieno noted that previous medical camps had focused largely on general illnesses.
However, owing to the increasing number of respiratory illnesses affecting children and women, the county requested EPRA to support specialised outreach programmes focusing specifically on respiratory diseases.
READ ALSO: KISE trains TSC officers to strengthen inclusive education across Kenya
Health officials expressed optimism that the initiative would strengthen early diagnosis, improve access to treatment and create greater public awareness on the importance of adopting clean cooking energy.
By Erick Nyayiera
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
