WORKERS living on the outskirts of major cities who begins work at 8:00am or earlier and have to wake as early as 4:00am to commute for up to two hours have a chronic reduction in sleep that leads to irreversible repercussions on their immune systems.

Dr Brighton Mushengezi, a neuro-specialist at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) – Mloganzila, said in an interview that this leads to a cumulative ’sleep debt,’ heightening the risk of both physical and mental health problems over time.

Casual surveys show that many of the city’s nearly seven million residents are getting as little as five to six hours of sleep per night, well below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended seven to nine hours, he said in an interview.

He said that health experts are now calling for greater public awareness, especially for city planners and employers to create a work culture that supports the need for adequate rest.

 "Addressing sleep deprivation is not just about personal well-being—it's about building a healthier, more productive city," he said, stressing the need to recognize sleep as a critical component of personal well-being.

The fast-paced lifestyle of major cities like Dar es Salaam is causing serious health repercussions as people pursue careers and enter middle ages and beyond, as commuting affects pupils, students, formal and informal workers who fall victim to a chronic ‘sleep debt’ driven primarily by the city's heavy traffic and long working hours, the medic explained..

Medical professionals are emphasizing that insufficient sleep is a serious health risk, not just a minor inconvenience as sleep is as vital as a healthy diet and exercise, interviewed experts indicated.

"Adequate sleep helps regulate weight, strengthens the immune system and prevents chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease," the Mloganzila expert noted, pointing out that chronic sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to illness.

Dr Raymond Mgeni, a practicing psychiatrist, noted that the impact extends beyond physical health, with surveys showing a rise in mental health problems linked to inadequate rest. Sleeplessness can impair memory, reduce concentration and increase the risk of anxiety and depression, he explained. 

Urban residents, under pressure from traffic and work demands, may turn to alcohol or sedatives to cope, further endangering their health, the psychiatrist intoned, while therapeutic psychologist Chris Mauki underlined that sleep is essential for the brain's ability to process information and emotions. 

“Without enough rest, individuals can become irritable and emotionally volatile, leading to stress-related conflicts.” he declared, pointing out that urban congestion is a key driver of this problem. 

A 2021 study by the World Bank and the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) found that residents lost up to three hours daily to traffic before the city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system was introduced, with expectations that it would transform the commuting situation for most city residents.

The Global Urban Observatory providing data for WHO has confirmed that heavy traffic significantly reduces average sleep hours in urban centers, the city medic noted.