Experts seek alternative funding to address air pollution

The Nigeria Thoracic Society (NTS) has called on the federal government to consider alternative funding for cooking gas and kerosene in order to minimise the effects of air pollution arising from frequent usage of firewood among rural dwellers. National president of the society, Prof. Etete Peters, made the call during the  annual general meeting and […]

The Nigeria Thoracic Society (NTS) has called on the federal government to consider alternative funding for cooking gas and kerosene in order to minimise the effects of air pollution arising from frequent usage of firewood among rural dwellers.
National president of the society, Prof. Etete Peters, made the call during the  annual general meeting and scientific conference  of the association in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
He called on the present administration to sustain the introduction of mass safe cooking stoves in order to prevent chronic obstructive airway diseases in the country.
Peters, who is also the chief medical director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, said the official price of dual purpose kerosene (DPK) has never been felt by Nigerians because of its  scarcity and high cost where available.
He said the use of firewood which accounts for more than 90% of domestic cooking among rural dwellers has put most households on high risk of air pollution and its attendant health consequences.
 Earlier, deputy governor of the state, Moses Ekpo, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Heath, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, advised the society to tackle the increasing number of patients requiring thoracic care through encouraging more residents to join their field of study.