Public well being consultants have stated it’s harmful for Nigerians with persistent well being situations to take part within the ongoing starvation protests within the nation on account of potential well being dangers.
The advisory turned essential amid a wave of nationwide demonstrations which have seen rising participation among the many populace.
PUNCH Healthwise experiences that the nationwide protest has erupted throughout the nation, as residents categorical their frustration over the prevailing financial hardship.
Nigerians started the #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria protest on August 1, 2024, to attract the eye of the federal government to the plight being confronted by the lots.
Our correspondent who monitored the protest in elements of Lagos, noticed that protesters defied an order obtained from a courtroom, confining them to some areas, and took to the streets, roads, and Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, in Lagos, to precise their grievances.
Talking completely with PUNCH Healthwise, the medical consultants famous that protests, characterised by intense bodily exertion and emotional stress, might severely influence people with cardiovascular illnesses, respiratory and psychological situations, and folks with Sickle Cell Illness or mobility impairment.
They urged individuals with pre-existing well being points to search out alternative routes to help causes they care about.
A Advisor Public Well being Doctor on the College of Ilorin Instructing Hospital, Kwara State, Dr Mojirola Fasik, cautioned in regards to the well being dangers related to collaborating in protests, notably for people with persistent well being situations.
Fasik acknowledged that people with cardiovascular illnesses, corresponding to coronary heart illness and hypertension, are at increased danger as a result of bodily effort and emotional stress concerned in protests.
She defined that these with respiratory points, together with bronchial asthma and persistent obstructive pulmonary illness, might face worsening signs from publicity to mud, smoke, and tear gasoline.
The doctor added that immunocompromised people, corresponding to these present process chemotherapy or dwelling with HIV and AIDS, are extra weak to infections in crowded and unsanitary environments.
In accordance with her, individuals with psychological well being situations like anxiousness issues and PTSD might expertise extreme signs as a result of chaotic nature of protests.
She stated, “A number of well being situations could make it dangerous for sure people to take part in protests or crowded occasions. Circumstances like coronary heart illness, hypertension, and arrhythmias will be worsened by bodily stress, warmth, or emotional stress of the protest.
“Bronchial asthma, persistent obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD), and different lung illnesses will be worsened by tear gasoline, smoke, mud, or bodily exertion.
“People present process chemotherapy, these with HIV/AIDS, or these on some other immunosuppressive drugs and in addition these with extreme malnutrition are at increased danger for infections, particularly in crowded and unsanitary situations.
“Nervousness issues, Put up-traumatic Stress Dysfunction , or panic issues will be triggered by the chaotic and demanding atmosphere of a protest.
“People with Sickle Cell Illness may also be affected by publicity to warmth, bodily exertion and the demanding atmosphere. And people with arthritis, a number of sclerosis, some sickle cell illness sufferers with Avascular Necrosis of the pinnacle of the femur or different situations that have an effect on mobility might discover it tough to maneuver shortly or keep away from harmful conditions.”
On how protest can worsen coronary heart illness, the general public well being knowledgeable stated, “Continual well being points corresponding to coronary heart situations or respiratory issues can influence one’s means to take part in protests by making bodily calls for like standing for lengthy durations or navigating by crowded areas difficult. The stress of those environments can exacerbate signs, resulting in fatigue, shortness of breath, elevated coronary heart price, and different well being problems.
“As a result of an absence of bodily stamina, situations like coronary heart illness or COPD can restrict endurance, making it tough to march or stand for lengthy durations. Additionally, due to their elevated vulnerability to environmental hazards, individuals with respiratory points are extra prone to mud, tear gasoline or smoke inhalation. The well being situations like hypertension or anxiousness get worsened by elevated stress ranges.
“Additionally, different persistent well being points, particularly these with arthritis or different musculoskeletal situations, might wrestle with extended standing or strolling, limiting their mobility.”
When requested about dangers related to standing for too lengthy, the doctor acknowledged that extended standing and navigating by crowded areas might result in problems corresponding to dizziness, warmth stress, and worsened joint ache for people with arthritis or mobility impairments.
She additionally suggested pregnant ladies and younger youngsters towards collaborating in protests as a result of dangers of warmth publicity and potential accidents.
For these with persistent situations who select to take part, Fasik advisable cautious planning, together with staying on the sides of the protest, carrying essential drugs, and utilizing mobility aids.
She additionally steered that protests ought to embrace designated relaxation areas, first support stations, and accessible routes to make sure security.
For people unable to attend protests bodily, she suggested participating in different types of activism, corresponding to digital campaigns, advocacy, and fundraising, to help social actions whereas prioritising well being and security.
Corroborating her, a public well being doctor on the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr Dare Olorunfemi defined that the bodily demonstration related to protests, corresponding to standing for lengthy durations and publicity to environmental parts, might considerably influence these with respiratory or cardiovascular situations.
He added that the high-stress atmosphere of demonstrations, coupled with the potential for confrontation or violence, can result in anxiousness and improve stress ranges.
The doctor additionally warned that publicity to mud, smoke, and tear gasoline generally discovered at protests can set off acute well being episodes and worsen signs.
“For people with persistent diseases, even reasonable bodily exercise can result in severe problems. Protests usually contain unpredictable eventualities that may improve stress and bodily pressure, which will be harmful.
“For people with psychological well being situations, corresponding to PTSD or extreme anxiousness issues, the chaotic nature of protests will be overwhelming and detrimental to their well-being,” he acknowledged.
He urged individuals to prioritise well being and security by planning participation fastidiously, “utilising essential medical provides and in search of alternative routes to help social actions, corresponding to digital activism and advocacy.
“There are a lot of methods to advocate for change that don’t contain bodily danger. On-line campaigns, letter-writing, and neighborhood organising are all efficient strategies of engagement that may guarantee people with persistent situations stay secure whereas nonetheless making an influence,” he concluded.
Additionally talking, a number one Professor of Group Medication and Public Well being on the College of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Finest Ordinioha urged people with persistent situations to fastidiously think about the dangers related to participation in protest.
The Don highlighted the numerous well being issues that might influence these with cardiovascular and respiratory points throughout demonstrations.
In accordance with him, persistent well being situations corresponding to hypertension, coronary heart illness, and bronchial asthma can worsen the bodily calls for and environmental stressors present in protest settings.
He famous that extended exertion and emotional stress throughout protests place appreciable pressure on the guts and lungs, doubtlessly resulting in extreme problems and even sudden dying in weak people.
The doctor stated situations corresponding to coronary heart illness, hypertension, diabetes, and bronchial asthma are notably prone to worsening underneath protest situations.
To securely take part in protests, he suggested people with disabilities or persistent well being situations to prioritise their well being.
The professor additionally steered participating in conventional and social media activism instead, permitting people to contribute to social actions with out compromising their well-being.
“Largely cardio-respiratory illnesses like hypertension, coronary heart illness, bronchitis and allergic illnesses like bronchial asthma are affected by the protest.
“The exertions put plenty of stress on the delicate lungs and coronary heart, which may malfunction resulting in the sudden dying of the individual
“Standing for lengthy can lead to fainting assaults as blood swimming pools within the legs, leading to brief provide to the mind
“Crowded areas are recognized for his or her poor air high quality, which may set off asthmatic assault, and respiratory misery on account of lowered oxygen within the air.”
When requested how individuals with disabilities or persistent well being situations can fulfill their need to take part in protests, the professor acknowledged, “They need to interact in conventional and social media activism, offering the mental energy for the protest.