Health Ministry Warns Against Burning Garbage as Respiratory Illnesses Rise

Health Ministry Warns Against Burning Garbage as Respiratory Illnesses Rise

The Ministry of Health has linked rising respiratory illnesses at Mulago Hospital partly to air pollution and urged Ugandans to stop burning garbage, especially plastic waste.

The Ministry of Health has raised concern over increasing cases of respiratory illnesses at Mulago Hospital, linking the rise partly to air pollution caused by burning garbage, particularly plastic waste.

The ministry says burning rubbish releases harmful smoke and pollutants into the air, exposing communities to substances that can damage the respiratory system and contribute to illness.

Speaking during a waste management demonstration on waste segregation at Kisaasi and Kulambiro markets in Nakawa West, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine urged the public to stop burning garbage and adopt proper waste disposal methods.

“Cases of respiratory illnesses have increased at Mulago Hospital, and air pollution is among the factors contributing to this problem,” Atwine said.

She said proper waste management is critical to protecting communities from diseases and other health complications associated with environmental pollution.

Her warning comes as Uganda prepares for the National Cleaning Day scheduled for August 29, with the main event expected to take place in Kyaliwajjala.

Akxam Alinaitwe of ECOSERV, the company responsible for garbage collection in Nakawa Division on behalf of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), urged residents to ensure that waste collected during the cleaning exercise is placed directly on garbage trucks instead of being dumped along roadsides.

Kampala authorities have also called for greater public participation in waste segregation.

Dr Sarah Zalwango, KCCA Director of Public Health, said the city has provided garbage collection trucks to support proper waste management, but residents must separate their waste to reduce collection costs and promote recycling.

“We are encouraging residents to separate their waste because this helps reduce the cost of collection and improves recycling,” Zalwango said.

She also appealed to residents to stop dumping garbage along roads and in other public spaces, warning that poor waste disposal not only affects the cleanliness of the city but also poses a threat to public health.

The Ministry of Health is urging the public to use the upcoming National Cleaning Day to adopt proper waste management practices, reduce environmental pollution and protect communities from diseases associated with poor waste disposal.