A Bauchi-based paediatrician, Dr Kaltume Shuaibu, has urged caregivers to ensure proper ventilation in homes to safeguard the health and wellbeing of children, especially during the cold-dry season.
Shuaibu, a paediatrician at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH), gave the advice in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Bauchi.
She warned that tightly closed homes during the harmattan period could expose children to avoidable health risks.
According to her, adequate ventilation helps reduce the spread of airborne illnesses such as respiratory tract infections, and also helps control indoor pollutants, moisture and odours that may affect vulnerable children.
“Caregivers and parents should allow adequate flow of fresh air across rooms during cold-dry weather conditions. This helps to flush out microorganisms that could lead to infections,” she said.
The paediatrician also advised parents to use warm water when bathing children to prevent excessive skin dryness, and to take extra precautions with children living with sickle cell disorder or asthma.
“We see more children with sickle cell disorder and asthma coming to the facility during this period,” she said.
Shuaibu further stressed the need for children to have access to potable drinking water, describing it as an important preventive measure during the dry season.
“It helps prevent the occurrence of diarrhoea,” she added.
