Some health experts in the Eastern Regional Capital – Koforidua have sent words of advice to parents to be on guard as the country is experiencing the harmattan season to shield their wards from diseases accompanied with the change in the climate.
Harmattan is a period where the wind feels very dry and dusty and usually occurs in most of the West African lands.
This change in weather usually brings lots of dust in our homes, schools, roads among many others leading to some children and adults acquiring diseases due to the negligence of parents taking care of their wards and themselves.
According to the health experts, much microorganisms are released into the air during this season hence urged parents especially the working parents to pay keen attention to their children in order not to attract any sort of diseases.
During a one-on-one verbal interaction with one of the health expert (name withheld), sneezing, Cracked skin, Cracked lips, Catarrh, Cough, Sore throat, Common cold, epistasis (bleeding from nostrils) and many more are some of the sicknesses attained during the harmattan season.
To control health threats in this season, parents are advised to dress their children appropriately by wearing them jackets and giving them hot baths when the weather is cold and to ensure skin not being cracked, grease the body.
“Regular washing of fabrics like curtains, dusting of windows, fans with wet rag and servicing of air conditioners in their homes can reduce specks of dust,” he averred.
To ensure Fruits and vegetables such as melon, mango, orange, carrot, green beans, pineapple etc. and the intake of abundant portable drinking water can help stay hydrated, as dehydration is common in this season.
New mothers are advised to wear their babies warm clothing, cap and socks to keep their ears and feet warm.
Source: Abba Kwegyirba Aggrey
