“Experts at Makerere University Lung Institute have warned that exposure to air pollution by pregnant women is catastrophic to their unborn babies,” cautioned Dr. Rebecca Nantanda, a researcher at the institute.
She made this statement during an interview following the institute’s release of a study that unveiled alarmingly high levels of air pollution in Kampala and Jinja cities. Dr. Nantanda emphasized that inhaling toxic air during pregnancy results in low birth weight for babies, which can have long-lasting detrimental effects on their health.
“When you breathe in toxic air during pregnancy, it doesn’t only affect the lungs but also the brain and the heart of the unborn child,” she added.
Dr. Gabriel Okello, a researcher from the University of Cambridge who collaborated on this comprehensive four-year study with the Lung Institute, explained their approach.
They analyzed hospital data to establish a link between air quality and various diseases. Their findings revealed a strong correlation between high levels of air pollution and an increase in hospital visits related to respiratory complaints.
“In instances where air quality was poor, we observed a corresponding surge in hospital admissions due to respiratory issues,” Dr. Okello disclosed.
He went on to highlight that air quality in Kampala and Jinja fluctuated throughout the day, with the worst pollution occurring during peak traffic hours. Additionally, the researchers discovered a concerning connection between poor air quality and mental illness.
“Quality of air varies significantly during the day, and we’ve recently uncovered a link between bad air and mental health issues,” he stated.
Despite concerns mainly revolving around urban areas characterized by heavy traffic and overcrowding, experts suspect that air pollution may be affecting a larger portion of the Ugandan population than previously estimated.
Jennifer Kutesakwe, responsible for Air Quality at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), brought attention to this issue during the meeting.
“While analyzing data, we unexpectedly discovered that even areas like Kabale, known for their lush greenery, suffer from poor air quality,” she revealed.
To combat this growing problem, experts recommend raising awareness about the dangers of air pollution, particularly at the household level. Simple practices like avoiding indoor cooking with charcoal stoves and refraining from burning rubbish can contribute significantly to reducing pollution.