Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE number of patients with respiratory diseases is increasing with the situation linked to the use of dirty fuels for cooking, especially charcoal and firewood.
Dr Zavery Benela, Medical Officer in charge of Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam, said in the city yesterday when speaking shortly after receiving 50 gas cylinders and stoves which were given to nurses.
The gas cylinders were provided by Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited in collaboration with Doris Mollel Foundation after the two signed an agreement to distribute 1,000 gas cylinders to health workers in 10 regions countrywide. The move is part of initiatives geared to promote the use of clean energy for cooking.
“The hospital has in recent years witnessed an increased number of patients with respiratory illnesses. Most patients are women and children under the age of five,” he said.
Dr Benela said that 30 percent of 500 patients attended by doctors at the hospital’s outpatient department (OPD) had respiratory illnesses. He linked the diseases to the use of dirty energy in cooking, namely charcoal and firewood.
The energy firm has so far distributed over 32,000 gas cylinders to various groups in support of the government’s efforts towards clean energy transition.
Speaking during the handover ceremony which was held at the hospital premises, the Company’s Director General, Benoite Araman said the aim is to ensure 80 percent of Tanzanians use clean energy for cooking by 2030.
He said the use of gas saveas women from a number of health risks associated with the use of charcoal and firewood, adding that the move helps in conserving the environment.
“In Tanzania, over 33,000 people, mostly women, die annually from breathing smoke caused by solid fuels for cooking, including charcoal and firewood. Using charcoal or firewood is among the main causes of res-piratory illnesses,” he said.
Araman said that using gas saves women from spending hours in the bush searching for firewood as well as enabling them to prepare food conveniently and within a short time.
“Our company has for a long period provided gas cylinders and stoves to various groups including women and traders. By doing so, we facilitate the transition to clean energy as more community members use gas for cooking,” he said.
Doris Mollel, founder and executive director of the Doris Mollel Foundation said under the agreements with Oryx, they will distribute 1,000 gas cylinders and stoves to health workers in 10 regions.
She said the programme to be implemented for two years will involve nurses working in hard to reach areas, adding that they chose to support nurses taking into consideration the good job they do in saving lives.
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