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The Federal Government has warned Nigerians with underlying health conditions to take precautions when travelling through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following the reported deaths of 16 Nigerians who suffered medical complications while transiting through the city this year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the deaths in a travel advisory issued on Saturday, saying Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in the Ethiopian capital recorded the fatalities, which were reportedly linked to health complications associated with the city’s high-altitude environment.
The government specifically advised travellers with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions to consult their doctors before booking flights involving stopovers in Addis Ababa.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, Addis Ababa is approximately 2,355 metres above sea level, where lower atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen availability could pose health risks to people with certain pre-existing medical conditions.
“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.
The ministry explained that although healthy travellers generally adapt to reduced oxygen levels at high altitudes, people with certain cardiovascular and respiratory ailments could face 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,” it said.
It urged Nigerians whose medical conditions could worsen in high-altitude environments to exercise caution when selecting flights with stopovers in the Ethiopian capital.
However, the ministry clarified that the advisory was not intended to discourage Nigerians from travelling to or transiting through Addis Ababa.
“The Federal Government wishes to emphasise that this advisory is not intended to discourage Nigerians from transiting through or travelling to Addis Ababa,” the statement added.
The government said the warning was aimed at ensuring that medically vulnerable travellers understood the possible risks and sought appropriate medical advice before travelling. It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health, safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
