Connect with us

News

Hunger protest: ophthalmologists caution against prolonged exposure to tear gas

Published

on

Hunger protest: ophthalmologists caution against prolonged exposure to tear gas

*Says, it may cause blindness

By Francesca Hangeior

Leading eye specialists have cautioned that prolonged exposure to tear gas could cause temporary blindness and other eye complications, which if left untreated could lead to permanent blindness.

Advertisement

They also noted that people without protective clothes and devices were at risk of cornea injuries and conjunctivitis when exposed to tear gas.

The ophthalmologists advised those exposed to tear gas to quickly rinse their eyes and affected body parts with water.

The experts’ warning and advice comes on the heels of the 10-day protest that began on August 1st and had been marred with security agents firing tear gas to disperse protesters.

Under the #Endbadgovernance and #Hungerprotests, several Nigerians in several states of the federation, have through placards and chants demonstrated their displeasure with the current economic hardship.

Advertisement

But the President, Bola Tinubu, in an address to the nation on Sunday, told protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue.

Tear gas is a riot control agent mostly used by law enforcement agents that temporarily constrain people by irritating the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, long-lasting exposure or exposure to a large dose of tear gas may cause blindness, glaucoma and respiratory failure possibly resulting in death.

However, a professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Benin, Edo State, Afekhide Omoti, stated that prolonged exposure to tear gas in an enclosed environment could cause blindness.

Advertisement

He, however, noted that the risk of blindness was reduced if the tear gas was used in an open environment.

The Chairman of the National Eye Health Committee said, “In the normal circumstances where tear gas is used in an open environment, it will not cause blindness.

“However, if there is prolonged exposure in a closed environment, it is possible that tear gas can cause blindness,” he said.

The researcher on Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Disorders further noted that physical exertion, such as running after contact with tear gas, makes the affected persons more susceptible to severe symptoms.

Advertisement

Omoti said, “As far as blindness is concerned, large doses may cause temporary blindness.

However, in very unusual circumstances, and depending on the delivery system, more prolonged damage can occur.

Explosive systems, particularly those used in the military, may cause thermal, chemical, and physical damage due to the blast. If left untreated, it can cause permanent blindness. But this is not the usual type used by the anti-riot police.”

The researcher on Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Disorders further noted that tear gas might worsen the conditions of persons with corneal problems but had no effect on those with cataracts and glaucoma.

Advertisement

He added, “Depending on the specific chemical agent used in the tear gas and the mode of delivery, tear gas can cause a variety of eye defects which include mild features such as blepharospasm, conjunctivitis and superficial keratitis.

“More severe complications which are very unlikely include corneal stromal opacities, corneal neovascularisation, neurotrophic keratopathy, conjunctival necrosis, and pseudopterygium. These are all problems with the cornea and conjunctiva, the surface structures of the eye.

“Ordinarily, those with glaucoma should not be at higher risk of blindness from tear gas use. However, if the explosive variety is used, and as I said earlier, this is not the usual type used in our civilian crowd control, then the physical effects may increase the intraocular pressure and worsen the glaucoma or even theoretically cause blindness in terminal stages. But I must again reiterate that this is not likely.”

The ophthalmologist asserted that if these eye defects were untreated, it could cause possible complications, which could lead to blindness.

Advertisement

“Untreated, possible complications which will cause blindness, especially in explosive cases include corneal neovascularisation, stromal thinning, ulceration, infection and perforation. Others include secondary glaucoma, cataract formation, vitreous haemorrhage and traumatic optic neuropathy which are physical complications of the explosive which are not normally used in civilian crowd control,” Omoti said.

Also, the President of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, Dr Abiola Oyeleye, stated that tear gas affects the eyes and skin of those it comes in contact with, noting that when inhaled, it affects the lining of the mouth, nose, chest, lungs and the respiratory system.

The ophthalmologist emphasised that direct exposure of tear gas to the eyes could damage the eye structures and lead to blindness.

The Medical Director of the Eye Doctors Group of Clinics, said, “So if we are specific now about the eyes, what it does, it irritates the eye, and anything that irritates the eye causes tears, and that’s where the name tear gas is from. So the eye sends a message to the brain that something is irritating me and the brain now sends a message to the tear glands saying something is irritating the eye, send tears to the eye, the tear glands now function and send tears to the eye, so it’s a response to whatever agent has caused it, that’s where the name tear gas comes from. Pp

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

FEC approves ₦47.9tn 2025 budget

Published

on

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a proposed national budget of ₦47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

This was part of the Medium-Term Expenditures Framework, MTEF, for 2025 to 2027 and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

Advertisement

“And equally, the fiscal objectives were conservative, because we want to ensure that we study the course much as we believe the projections will be exceeded.

“The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the MTEP is ₦47.9 trillion, with new borrowings of ₦9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025,” Bagudu said.

“We need to sustain the market deregulation, commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate, and to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the petroleum industry act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.

“The Federal Executive Council approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the physical strategy paper, and it will be submitted to the National Assembly.

Advertisement

“This is in addition to bills that are already at the National Assembly, the economic stabilization bills and tax reform bills, which we believe we will have a very, very strong growth in 2025.”

During the meeting, the FEC approved its submission to the National Assembly as required by the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The framework projected a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6 percent, an exchange rate of $75 to the naira, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. [Channels TV]

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Nigeria to get 6,000 power generation by December-Power Minister vows

Published

on

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed his unwavering optimism that the government will successfully meet its ambitious target of generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2024, despite the numerous challenges currently affecting the power sector.

The Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, conveyed this assurance at the fourth edition of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s annual workshop, themed “Ending the Talk, Moving the Action,” held on Thursday in Abuja.

Nigeria’s power generation currently ranges between 3,500 and 4,000 MW for a population of approximately 200 million people. For instance, on Thursday, the country’s power generation was 3,556.38 MW as of 8 am.

Advertisement

Earlier this year, Adelabu pledged that power generation in Nigeria would reach 6,000 MW by the end of the year, citing improvements in the sector over the past year.

However, the frequent collapse of the nation’s electricity grid and the vandalisation of towers have raised concerns about the stability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and its ability to achieve the target.

In his goodwill address, the Special Adviser emphasised that the minister’s primary focus remains on achieving the goal of increasing generation and ensuring its efficient distribution to consumers.

Tunji said, “The minister aims to achieve what seems to be an intractable goal—improving generation and ensuring that what is generated reaches the final consumers. There are challenges, but they are surmountable.

Advertisement

“The minister has promised that by December this year, we will reach 6,000 megawatts; yes, we still hope to get there.

“We are confident that we will get there, but we are aware of the current issues with grid collapse. Efforts are being made to resolve these problems. Day and night, teams are being dispatched to address the various issues, and we remain hopeful that we will achieve the 6,000 MW target by December.”

The Director of Renewable Energy, Sunday Owolabi, also reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring 24-hour power supply for Nigerians.

Owolabi, another representative of the minister, stressed that the government’s policies are focused on resolving the challenges facing the country’s electricity transmission, distribution, and generation sub-sectors.

Advertisement

“We are fully committed to transforming the country’s power sector. We are focused on ensuring that our policies are practical and sustainable. We are resolute in ensuring power supply for every Nigerian.

“The government remains fully committed to transforming Nigeria’s power sector through meaningful and actionable reforms.

“We are focused on ensuring that our policies are not only visionary but also practical, impactful, and sustainable. From the ongoing efforts to address infrastructure gaps, enhance power generation, and improve transmission networks, to vital reforms in distribution and the full implementation of the electricity market, we are resolute in our mission to improve power supply for every Nigerian.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Just in: Wike sends FCDA Executive Director on indefinite suspension

Published

on

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has suspended the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad indefinitely.

According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.

The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, in the FCDA.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike has revealed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the construction of houses for judges in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor said the project is part of the government’s plan to provide secure housing for judges and strengthen the judiciary’s independence.

Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, the former Rivers Governor clarified that the housing project is not his personal initiative.

Wike explained that the housing scheme was included in the 2024 budget, approved by the National Assembly, and is not his personal decision.

Advertisement

He added that judges currently live in rented homes, which could make them vulnerable.

He compared this to similar projects he carried out as Rivers State governor and expressed surprise at the criticism, especially from legal professionals.

Wike insisted the project is lawful and should be welcomed as a step in the right direction.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News