Kaltume Shuaibu, a Bauchi-based paediatrician, has advised caregivers to effectively manage ventilation in homes to promote children’s health and well-being. She said this in an interview on Thursday in Bauchi.

Mr Shuaibu, a paediatrician at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU–TH), Bauchi, said the cold-dry weather could be harmful to children, especially when homes remained tightly closed.

She said that adequate home ventilation would reduce the risk of airborne illnesses such as respiratory tract infections and control indoor pollutants, moisture, and odors that might impact vulnerable patients.

“Caregivers and parents should allow adequate flow of fresh air across rooms in the house during cold-dry weather conditions. This helps to flush out microorganisms that could lead to infections,” she said.

Shuaibu also advised parents to use warm water when bathing children to avoid excessive skin dryness and to ensure extra protection for children with sickle cell disorder and asthma.

“We see more children with sickle cell disorder and asthma coming to the facility during this period.

“Children should have access to potable drinking water, it is an important preventive measure during the dry season, it helps prevent the occurrence of diarrhoea,” she said.

(NAN)