Experts are expressing worries about a potential rise in respiratory diseases linked to the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.
During the second Lung Science and Health symposium, Dr. Charles Ayume, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Health Committee, emphasized the risks associated with flaring during oil extraction, leading to lung complications.
He stressed the urgent need for proactive discussions, highlighting the Makerere University Lung Institute’s role in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, which has yet to materialize.
Researchers at the institute shared findings from a study tracking 100 artisanal miners, revealing severe lung damage in the majority even four years after ceasing work in such environments.
Professor William Worodria, a lung expert, disclosed that 93% of the miners had developed simple silicosis, a type of pulmonary fibrosis caused by inhaling silica particles. Four years later, 40% still exhibited ongoing lung damage despite no longer working in the hazardous environment.
Experts warn that the anticipated oil extraction may exacerbate this issue, potentially necessitating expensive, lifelong oxygen treatment for those affected.
Worodria advocates for a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach to address workplace exposure and prevent future diseases. He emphasizes the importance of enforcing safety regulations and conducting surveillance across different sectors, rather than relying on an overwhelmed health sector to treat sick individuals.
When approached, officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development acknowledged the problem but cited limited resources, with only 22 occupational health officers overseeing a working population of 23.5 million.
Usher Wilson Owere, Chairman General of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU), underscores the necessity of an independent Ministry of Labour. He argues that despite ample data supporting the increasing burden of lung disease, implementing recommendations remains a challenge.
Prof. Bruce Kirenga, head of the Lung Institute, observes a shift in clinics from tuberculosis to lung cancer and silicosis, indicating a growing concern for lung health.
As authorities aim for commercial oil production by 2026 through the 1400km pipeline, the focus remains on transporting oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to a Tanzanian port for global markets.