By Simon Ujah, Kaduna
The Director of Womenhood School of Health Science, Kaduna state, comrade Nurudeen Bello has caution Nigerians on ways to avert getting Cold related illnes, urging parents to help keep their children and elderly ones in warm places in order to save them against harmattan cold diseases.
Nurudeen make the call during an interview with journalists during the weekend while commenting on the current harsh weather condition in the country that is affecting lives of human being, animals and other living organism in the environment.
He further stressed that extreme cold weather can lead to serious health issues to an elderly person such as hypothermia, adding that little children could also be affected with the cold related diseases if care is not taking.
He attributed the harsh biking weather condition in Nigeria and some part of Africa to climate change, desertification, deforestation and environmental degradation.
He note that Exposure to cold can lead to low body temperature, hypothermia, frostbite and even death. Shoveling snow or exercising in the cold can lead to heart attacks and stroke.
“Older adults can lose body heat fast—faster than when they were young. Changes in your body that come with aging can make it harder for an elderly person to be aware of getting cold'”, he said.
Nurudeen bello, who is also the assistance director African climate reporters stressed the importance of parents taking care of kids and elderly person during a period like this.
“The reason why northern Nigeria and some part of Africa is facing this kind of harsh weather changes is as a result of Climate change, desertification and environmental degradation”
“The demand for charcoal and fire wood business is on the rise in the region. More forestry are turning into desert sahara, forcing all the wild life migrating to safer land”.
He said, “there are need to sensitizes the public about cold related diseases and respiratory infections such as conjunctivitis, common cold,asthma, cough, catarrh, tonsillitis , pneumonia,sickle cell crisis,eye problems,Bronchitis , Dry skin, Tonsilitis, Epistaxis.
According to him, WHO report that Pneumonia killed 808 694 children under the age of 5 in 2017 world wide, accounting for 15% of all deaths of children under five years old.
“Pneumonia affects children and families everywhere, but is most prevalent in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
He also offers some tips on how to help cope with extreme cold conditions for elderly persons and little children if they must go outside:
Nuruddeen suggest that any elderly persons that want to go outside the street must Wear tights or long underwear cloths,Wear mittens or gloves,Wear socks and shoes, to Protect eyes, lips, skin, neck, and face.
He also added that they must were thick clothes to make them warm, Drink plenty water in order to prevent dehydrated. And that they must wash their eyes regularly to avoid red eyes, and wear protective spectacles.
Furthermore, he urged people to always cover their nose and mouth with a mask. “Regular exercise is also good for the body at this season for the mature adult”, he said, warning citizens to reduce exposure to the dust.
Nuruddeen equally urged people to Wash their hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. He called on NEMA ,SEMA and all the rest environmental NGOs/CSO to raise more awareness to the public on the dangers of bush burning, and enjoined people to always bath with warm water.
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