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By Sharon Onyango
Siaya County is ramping up efforts to combat the rising burden of respiratory diseases through an ambitious clean energy initiative aimed at transforming household cooking practices and improving public health.
Respiratory illnesses remain a significant health challenge in the county, with conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), tuberculosis (TB), upper respiratory infections (URIs), and lung cancer continuing to affect thousands of residents. Health experts attribute a large share of these cases to prolonged exposure to indoor air pollution caused by the widespread use of firewood and charcoal for cooking.
In response, the Siaya County Department of Health and Sanitation, in partnership with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the Chronic Disease Society, and other stakeholders, convened the Siaya Respiratory Health Camp under the theme “Towards Clean and Safe Cooking Energy Use.”
The high-impact outreach program was officially launched by Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating the transition to clean cooking energy. He emphasized that adopting alternatives such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity is critical in reducing harmful indoor air pollution and preventing respiratory illnesses.
“Clean energy is not just an environmental issue—it is a public health priority,” Wandayi stated. “By shifting households away from biomass fuels, we can significantly cut disease risks and improve quality of life.”
During the medical camp, residents benefited from a wide range of free health services, including blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) checks, as well as screening for lung cancer, COPD, TB, asthma, and URIs. Health professionals also conducted awareness sessions on early diagnosis, prevention strategies, and the health advantages of clean cooking technologies.
County health officials underscored that prevention remains the most effective weapon against respiratory diseases. They called for sustained public education, early screening, and increased investment in clean energy access to curb the growing disease burden.
The initiative highlights Siaya County’s broader commitment to integrating preventive healthcare with sustainable environmental practices. By promoting cleaner household energy solutions, the county is not only addressing immediate health risks but also laying the groundwork for healthier, more resilient communities.
As the clean energy campaign gathers pace, stakeholders remain optimistic that the shift toward safer cooking methods will mark a turning point in the fight against respiratory diseases in Siaya and beyond.
