The Federal Government has raised the alarm over the deaths of 16 Nigerians who reportedly suffered health complications while transiting through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this year, warning travellers with underlying medical conditions to exercise caution.
In the advisory issued Saturday by Oluwafemi Adeniyi, foreign ministry spokesperson, the federal government urged Nigerians with pre-existing medical conditions to exercise caution and seek appropriate medical advice when planning journeys involving transit through Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa is situated approximately 2,355 metres (7,726 feet) above sea level, where lower atmospheric pressure results in reduced oxygen availability.
He said the fatalities were recorded by Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in the Ethiopian capital and were reportedly linked to health complications associated with the city’s high-altitude environment.
Consequently, the government urged Nigerians, particularly those with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, to seek medical advice before booking flights involving stopovers in Addis Ababa.
“This year, Nigeria’s Diplomatic Mission in Addis Ababa has recorded 16 deaths involving Nigerians transiting through the city, reportedly linked to health complications associated with high altitudes,” the advisory stated.
It explained that although healthy individuals generally adapt to reduced oxygen levels at high altitudes, travellers with underlying cardiovascular and respiratory ailments could experience increased health risks.
“While healthy individuals are generally able to adapt to reduced oxygen levels in high-altitude environments, persons with certain pre-existing medical ailments, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, may experience increased health risks in such conditions,” the ministry said.
The government advised Nigerians whose medical conditions could be aggravated by high-altitude environments to exercise caution when choosing flights involving stopovers in Addis Ababa.
The statement noted that the advisory is not intended to discourage Nigerians from transiting through or travelling to Addis Ababa.
“Rather, it aims to ensure that persons who may be medically vulnerable to the physiological effects of high altitudes are adequately informed and encouraged to take necessary precautions before embarking on their journeys,” the statement reads.
The ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of Nigerians abroad, urging travellers to make informed decisions, particularly where existing medical conditions could increase their vulnerability.
