Poor air aiding preterm births, respiratory diseases in Nairobi

According to the WHO, air pollution is responsible for 8 million deaths annually, with 4.2 million attributed to outdoor pollution and 3.8 million caused by indoor pollution. [iStockphoto]

Over 60 per cent of the 3,000 patients seen daily at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Nairobi suffer from upper respiratory tract diseases, according to the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Martin Wafula.

Speaking on Friday during the launch of an air quality monitoring station at the hospital, Dr Wafula emphasised the urgent need to address air pollution in the city.

The station is the second of its kind in Nairobi, following the installation of one at the Fire Station in the Central Business District (CBD). Both stations were established with support from USAID Kenya and the World Resources Institute (WRI) through its Clean Air Catalyst programme.

The newly installed stations will provide real-time data on air pollution levels in the city. This comes just days after the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, which was observed on September 7. The day aims to raise awareness about air quality and its impact on human health, while also pushing for government policies to improve air standards.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution is responsible for 8 million deaths annually, with 4.2 million attributed to outdoor pollution and 3.8 million caused by indoor pollution.

Over 99 per cent of the global population is now exposed to harmful air, which is particularly dangerous for children under five years old.

Dr Wafula noted that upper respiratory tract infections are among the top 10 diseases treated at the hospital, with increasing cases of respiratory cancers, including oesophageal and lung cancers.

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“Recently, we have also started receiving cases of respiratory cancers, and while we manage these medically, we are yet to fully understand the causes,” said Dr Wafula, adding: “There have been myths attributing cancers to factors such as drinking hot tea or using plastic containers, but with this air quality monitoring tool, we will be able to correlate these diseases with air pollution.”

He added that approximately 60 per cent of the 3,000 patients seen daily at the hospital have breathing difficulties, with the number rising to 80 per cent in the paediatrics department, especially during colder months. Many children have asthmatic attacks and breathing difficulties, particularly at night.

Additionally, Wafula highlighted concerns about an increase in cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) and a rise in premature births. He noted that out of 70 daily deliveries at the hospital, 20 involve premature babies, with air quality being a suspected factor.

“We have observed that many cases come from densely populated areas, such as slums near the Dandora dumpsite. We are also seeing a lot of respiratory distress in children under one year old, which is linked to the quality of air they are inhaling,” Wafula said.

Wafula announced that the hospital has set up a research department to investigate the causes of these diseases, particularly focusing on the link between air pollution and health outcomes. The hospital also recently installed a neonatal critical care unit to provide oxygen therapy, which has significantly reduced deaths among newborns.

Head of Air Quality at WRI Africa George Mwaniki stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of illness in Nairobi rather than just treating the symptoms.

“With the real-time data provided by the air quality monitoring stations, we are now in a better position to take action to improve air quality in Nairobi,” said Dr Mwaniki.

The hospital’s monitoring station focuses on black carbon (BC) and PM2.5 particulate matter—tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, posing severe health risks. Dr Mwaniki explained that 70 per cent of the health impact from air pollution comes from exposure to these small particles, with the remaining 30 per cent from gas-phase and larger particles.

He warned that air quality in Nairobi has worsened by 180 per cent since 1963, with the number of vehicles in the city doubling every six years.

“If we continue on this trajectory, air quality will worsen significantly over the next 20 years,” Dr Mwaniki said.

WHO recommends that breathable particulate matter should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic metre. However, levels at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital currently stand at 20 micrograms, while the Fire Station in the CBD is at a staggering 70 micrograms, 14 times higher than WHO’s recommended limit. Dr Mwaniki stressed the urgent need to reverse this trend.