Dr. Iddrisu Yahaya, a Consultant Physician and Head of the Chest Unit at Tamale Teaching Hospital has urged individuals with asthma and respiratory diseases to take precautions as the region experiences severe harmattan conditions.
Dr. Yahaya emphasized the impact of dry seasonal epidemics on respiratory health due to the dryness of the air, particularly affecting the northern regions.
“The situation causes a lot of coughing and stimulates respiratory diseases such as asthmatic attacks. The asthmatic attacks and cases are high this season because most asthmatics have a dusty environment,” noted Dr. Yahaya in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tamale.
He highlighted that climate change effects were exacerbating this year's harmattan, making the atmosphere challenging for residents to carry out their daily activities comfortably.
Dusty conditions, especially in urban areas, expose individuals to health hazards and can trigger respiratory diseases.
Dr. Yahaya emphasized the importance of protecting the ozone layer by reducing deforestation and promoting afforestation.
He urged residents to visit health facilities for regular checkups to prevent complications such as respiratory failure, lung inflammation, and heart failure.
To minimize the risk of cold-related issues, he recommended that the public consume warm fluids regularly.
