..Suggest clean-fuel clean cookstove for healthier climate-resilient Lagos

By Tunji Faleye

A groundbreaking study, Community Mobilization for Improved Clean Cookstove Uptake, Household Air Pollution Reduction, Hypertension Prevention, has revealed that community-driven initiatives can significantly influence uptake of clean fuels such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and ethanol stoves—helping to reduce health risks and improve environmental outcomes.

The Clean Fuel – Cookstove (CF-CS) project, a five-year implementation science initiative funded by NIH, is a collaborative effort involving researchers from New York University (NYU Langone Health), the University of Chicago, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), and other partner institutions.

Commencing in 2021 with other major stakeholders such as the Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH), the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and more recently, the Lagos State Health Districts, the project aims to reduce household air pollution (HAP), prevent hypertension, enhance cardiovascular health, and encourage the ongoing use of improved cooking technology among low-income households in Lagos State.

This project directly supports the Lagos State Government’s goals in public health and environmental preservation, positioned at the intersection of environment, health, and equity. By aligning with the vision of a healthier population in Lagos, it demonstrates how local initiatives can contribute meaningfully to global sustainable development goals. Through a holistic approach, the project also illustrated how climate action can serve as a catalyst for improving health equity and reducing poverty across Lagos.

Presenting the study, Professor Ololade Wright contextualized the project within global health and climate frameworks, emphasizing the devastating impact of household air pollution (HAP) on women and children.

She drew connections to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7, towards achieving near-zero-emission goals by 2030, and outlined the CF-CS model as a scalable solution to cooking poverty (described as a condition in which households lack access to clean, efficient, and affordable cooking technologies and fuels) and environmental degradation.

Speaking also, Mrs. Fagbemi discussed the Clean Fuel – Cookstove study’s field activities, including mapping and generation of digital maps for each community, household recruitment and enrolment, capacity building for the LGA health team (medical officers of health, community health officers, health education officers, environmental health officers, community health extension workers, community mobilizers) and staff of LASEPA.

She highlighted efforts to promote clean cookstoves, challenges, and adaptations in implementing the project.

Also, Professor Gbenga Ogedegbe emphasized that, although outdoor cooking is common, indoor air pollution remains a serious threat, especially to women and children. He pointed out the concerning high rates of hypertension and its connection to environmental and socioeconomic factors.

He discussed the rising prevalence of hypertension, noting that the average age of those with hypertension in the ongoing project is 41.5 years. He also offered policy recommendations and identified areas for stakeholders’ involvement to enhance access to and affordability of clean cooking solutions in Lagos State.

The Lagos State Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, who chaired the event, emphasized that this accomplishment exemplifies the potential of combining global expertise with local commitment and dedication.

She noted that the possibility of maternal morbidity or mortality, either directly or indirectly resulting from household air pollution (HAP), is of particular concern, as numerous women and children suffer from its harmful effects.

She underscored the significance of data for policy decisions and the necessity to examine the impact of HAP on other health conditions, including cancer. She also conveyed the goodwill and support for the initiative expressed by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.

The panel which includes Dr. Tunde Ajayi, GM, LASEPA; Dr. Veronica Iwayemi, DMS, PHC Board, Prof. Gbenga Ogedegbe, and Prof. Biodun Adewuya Mental health expert recommended that government should expand subsidies for clean fuels and encourage local production for affordability.

They said micro-financing mechanisms can empower local producers and retailers, adding that public-private partnerships and a taxation model for multinational companies like telecommunications firms and banks could fund clean cookstove initiatives in underserved areas.

They believe that integrating these efforts into the education system and national health policy can promote long-term behavioral change, suggesting that establishing a strong monitoring and evaluation infrastructure is also essential to track progress and guide policy adjustments.

Present at the dialogue were stakeholder’s from the Lagos State One-Health team, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Permanent Secretaries such as Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa (PHCB), Dr. Abimbola Bowale (HSC, District 4), Dr. Dayo Lajide (District 2), Dr. Abimbola Mabogunje (District 6), Dr. Abiola Idowu (HEFAMAA), a representative of the Special Adviser on SDGs, Mr. Ojo, representatives of PS Health, LASHMA, Health Districts 1, 3, and 5, GM LASEPA Dr. Tunde Ajayi, SSA Health, Dr. Toni Adeyemi, and many others such as Prof. Daniel Sarpong (Yale University School of Medicine, USA), Prof. Jasmin Divers, NYU Langone Health, USA, and Prof. Chinwe Ogedegbe, Vitalflo, New Jersey, USA.

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