By Sharon Onyango
Respiratory diseases remain a growing public health concern in Siaya County, where the burden of chronic and infectious respiratory illnesses continues to affect many residents.
Conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), upper respiratory infections (URIs), Tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer are among the leading causes of illness, with household air pollution from the use of firewood and charcoal identified as a major contributing factor.
Addressing this challenge, the Department of Health and Sanitation, in collaboration with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the Chronic Disease Society, and other partners, held the Siaya Respiratory Health Camp, under the theme "Towards Clean and Safe Cooking Energy Use.
The medical camp was officially opened by Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, who reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting clean cooking energy as a key intervention in preventing respiratory illnesses. He noted that transitioning households to cleaner energy sources such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and electricity will significantly reduce exposure to harmful indoor air pollution while improving the health and well-being of communities.
During the event, health officials underscored the importance of early diagnosis, public awareness, and the adoption of clean cooking energy in reducing the burden of respiratory diseases.
Residents received free health services, including blood pressure and BMI checks, screening for lung cancer, COPD, TB, asthma, and upper respiratory infections (URIs), as well as health education on respiratory disease prevention and the benefits of clean cooking energy.
The initiative demonstrates the County Government's commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare while promoting environmental and household practices that support healthier lives for all residents.