The Nigerian government has unveiled its maiden health vulnerability and adaptation assessment report, primed to address the health impact of climate change.
The country’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare said the impact of climate change is felt in cases of cholera outbreaks, flooding and diarrheal diseases, protracted circle of transmission of Malaria, dengue and yellow fever.
While describing climate change as a wicked problem, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate emphasized on the urgency to address the complexities in health challenges, caused by the problem.
The report is designed to contain proactive measures to safeguard Nigerian communities as the risk of climate change intensifies.
“It is complex, multifaceted and interconnects with several other elements. When we solve one, another problem actually features”, the Minister said on Friday, at the closing ceremony of the inaugural Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review (JAR) in Abuja.
“Rising temperatures impact air quality, leading to respiratory issues; flooding contributes to waterborne diseases like cholera, while fragile food systems exacerbate malnutrition”, he stated.
Mr. Pate further revealed that the health impact of climate change could worsen Nigeria’s disease burden with increased malnutrition risks. “We cannot just wait and hope it disappears; this assessment report offers a concrete plan for adapting to our reality.
“(The report) is an effort to have the concrete plan that we can execute to adapt to this reality that we are facing as a people. We must do our part”, he said.
Earlier, the Head of Mission and Representative of World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria said the alarming projection that 21% of Nigeria’s disease burden could be climate-related in the near future, underscores the urgent need for transformative action.
Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo said the rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting disease patterns are already having severe consequences on health systems, livelihoods, and well-being, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Admitting that climate change is a threat to global health in the 21st century, he said it hugely affects human lives and threatens the essential ingredients of good health – clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food supply and safe shelter – and has the potential to undermine decades of progress health system.
He posited further that the Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Report 2024 is a proof of Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the health impacts of climate change.
“As a key partner in this journey, WHO facilitated Nigeria’s first-ever signing of a Health Sector Commitment to a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Health System in 2021, aligning the country’s health priorities with the Paris Agreement and the COP26 Health Programme.
“This historic commitment laid the foundation for developing resilient health systems capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change”, Mulombo said.
He concluded by revealing that as Nigeria invests in climate-resilient health systems as a crucial priority, the WHO remains a dedicated partner to the country in its pursuit of a healthier and more climate-resilient future, adding that “together, we can build a stronger health system capable of protecting all Nigerians from the risks posed by a changing climate”.