Paediatricians and health experts across Goa are sounding a dire warning: the severe air pollution in areas like Porvorim and Panaji is inflicting significant harm on children. This poor air quality is not only disrupting their daily lives but is also setting the stage for chronic health problems that could persist well into their adult years.
Severe AQI and Direct Link to Construction Dust
Open-source data revealed a troubling situation, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Porvorim crossing 240 on a recent Saturday evening, placing it firmly in the 'severe' category. Doctors are directly linking this spike to ongoing infrastructure projects, including Smart City works in Panaji and flyover construction in Porvorim.
Dr. Dhanesh Volvoikar, a former head of paediatrics at Mapusa’s Asilo Hospital who now runs an allergy clinic in Porvorim, stated that his clinic is seeing patients directly affected by this dust. "We have observed cases where asthma, which was well-controlled for months or even years, has suddenly flared up again. This is directly related to the dust pollution in Porvorim," he explained.
Long-Term Health Consequences for the Young
The medical community emphasizes that the impact is profound and long-lasting. Dr. Volvoikar highlighted that one in ten children now suffers from wheezing issues. He warned that without proper control through inhalation therapy and avoidance of persistent pollutants like dust and passive smoke, these children risk developing lung scarring and a high future risk of asthma.
Echoing this concern, Dr. Nathaniel Pinto, a paediatrician at Manipal Hospitals, outlined a grim future if pollution remains unchecked. "If air and dust pollution are not controlled, we could see more morbidity in the long term. Children will fall ill more often, leading to increased hospitalizations, more need for nebulization, restricted physical activity, lost school days, and reduced future productivity," he said. He stressed that many children may enter adulthood with asthma if the air they breathe remains poor.
A Case Study and a Shift in Paediatric Care
Dr. Pinto provided a concrete example of a four-year-old boy living next to the Porvorim flyover construction. The child, with no prior history, developed wheezing and required an inhaler only after the digging work began. "After three episodes of severe cough requiring nebulization each time, we started him on an inhaler to prevent further suffering and control the disease," Dr. Pinto recounted.
This trend marks a significant shift in paediatric outpatient departments (OPDs). Senior paediatrician Dr. Ira Almeida, former director of health services, noted that while traditional infectious diseases have decreased, respiratory complaints now constitute half or more of paediatric OPD cases. "The best test was during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns when we saw a marked drop in wheezing cases due to lower air pollution. This pollution is a man-made trigger," Dr. Volvoikar asserted.
Call for Action and Broader Impacts
The doctors are unanimous in calling for immediate government intervention. Dr. Volvoikar argued that while development work is necessary, it must be done in a controlled manner. "The government has to take action to control the dust. Roads shouldn't be dug up and left open for months together. They need to be covered immediately," he urged.
The consequences extend beyond just breathing difficulties. Dr. Poonam Sambhaji, another Porvorim-based paediatrician, pointed out that bad air quality also hampers children's weight gain and nutrition, as wheezing and coughing affect their ability to eat properly. "Their quality of life suffers, and they are often unable to attend school," she added, painting a picture of comprehensive developmental disruption.
The consensus among Goa's medical experts is clear: uncontrolled air pollution is an urgent public health crisis for children, demanding swift and effective mitigation measures to safeguard their future.
