The Federal Government has cautioned Nigerians, particularly those with underlying medical conditions, against travelling through Ethiopia’s main international airport in Addis Ababa due to health risks associated with its high altitude.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that 16 Nigerians with pre-existing health conditions had died this year while transiting through Addis Ababa.
The warning was contained in an advisory issued by the ministry in Abuja, although it did not disclose the identities of the deceased or the specific causes of their deaths.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, is situated about 2,334 metres (7,657 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest capital cities in the world.
Its Bole International Airport serves as a major aviation hub connecting passengers travelling between Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
The ministry specifically identified people with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions as being at increased risk when travelling through the city.
It advised Nigerians whose medical conditions could be aggravated by high altitudes to exercise caution and seek appropriate medical advice before making travel arrangements through Addis Ababa.
However, the government clarified that the advisory was not intended to discourage Nigerians from using the Ethiopian capital as a transit destination.
Medical experts have warned that travelling to high-altitude locations can pose health challenges, particularly for people with existing heart and lung diseases.
At higher elevations, the air contains less available oxygen, making it more difficult for the bloodstream to receive sufficient oxygen.
Consequently, the heart may be forced to work harder to circulate oxygen throughout the body, potentially worsening existing cardiovascular conditions and increasing the risk of complications.
Even otherwise healthy travellers may experience symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath when exposed to high altitudes.
The ministry’s advisory is therefore aimed at encouraging Nigerians with underlying medical conditions to take necessary precautions before travelling through the Ethiopian capital.
