Nigerians face the current heat wave and its adverse health implications
The current heat wave has adverse health implications, one of these is that it can predispose people to certain skin and health problems. Ogbodo Ozioma Favour writes on the health implications of the heat wave and possible solutions
It is no news that the whole country is basking in excessive heat waves and these have led to different forms of airborne diseases like meningitis, nose bleeding, throat, and lung dryness.
NIMET Predicts
On February 13, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predicted,
“Air temperatures hit 41°C over the North and 39°C over the South with model Projections indicating temperatures to remain high in the coming days.”
The agency warned of dehydration and heatstroke as the heat stress sets in.
The 41°C is considered very high and dangerous and can lead to a medical emergency that requires immediate professional attention.
Residents Speak
In a recent interview conducted by Africa Health Report (AHR) in Nigeria, many Nigerians ranging from nursing mothers, youths and Individuals are battling with the excessive heat, especially in Abuja.
Mama Winner, a nursing mother with a four-month-old baby shares her experience of how she and her baby are battling with excessive heat rashes. When asked if the Government has shared any relief, “What are you saying, who hopes on the government these days, I take measures by applying powder on my baby and wearing her light clothes” she said
Mr Kachi, a business owner also shares his experience and how he is coping. “In this country we get things done ourselves, the last person that went to hell forgot to lock it up, I noticed I had a fever as a result of the heat so I had to take drugs and I also went on to purchase a solar fan worth about N95,000 which I take to shop and back to the house daily” he added
Gwagwalada Peculiarity
Gwagwalada residents also complained about the heat and it’s known to be one of the hottest places in Abuja with high humidity.
Mr Abudul, a resident of Gwagwalada also echoes similar frustration of the heat and what is doing to cope with it. “Honestly, it has not been easy, the heat here is massive and the room is always hot. I keep bathing countless times coupled with the fact that there is no light” he said
Another Nigerian, Mr. Samuel laments on the lack of light abetting the heat in the country “The heat here is intense and there is no light, now and then, I put on my generator and there is a scarcity of some vegetables leading to inflation of it in the market” he said to AHR
Expert Opinion
Mr. Ijeoma Igwebuike, an eviroprenuer, and a board member of Climate Strategies United Kingdom (UK) emphasizes that there will be diseases constantly emanating from the heat wave and a feasible solution is mapping out heat islands.
“There are diseases that are triggered by the heat stress and those kinds of diseases will be on the rise. That is why we have been advocating for urban heat islands so we can be able to predict these incidences and be proactive.
“We have not made a lot of investment in mapping urban heat islands and this also speaks a lot to planting trees which helps to cool down the environment and control the microclimate of wherever you are.
“Apart from the health implications, it is going to disrupt other economic activities like farming, and agriculture,” he said.
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