Editor
By Fatima Saka
In a concerted effort to prevent the emergence of diseases resulting from climate change-induced factors such as flooding, the Nigerian Government, in collaboration with international organizations, stakeholders, and climate change experts from across the country, have come together to validate critical issues impacting health.
The workshop aimed to provide recommendations, mitigation strategies, and enhance resilience to cushion the incidence of diseases stemming from the climate crisis.
This followed the two-day, National Stakeholders Validation Workshop on Nigeria’s Climate Health Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) Assessment Report, held in Abuja on Friday and Saturday. Organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, with support from the World Health Organization and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
During the Validation Assessment Report, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, the Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, underscored that Nigeria’s healthcare system is founded on the principle of primary health care.
He emphasized the importance of commencing proper mitigation efforts at the level of family healthcare to engage every individual in implementing necessary measures.
He lamented that following the recent pandemic, the ministry, under the leadership of the Honorable Coordinating Minister, has outlined a four-point agenda:
1. Enhancing governance and leadership.
2. Improving public health outcomes, including malaria, maternal and infant mortality, malnutrition, among others.
3. Facilitating access to healthcare.
4. Ensuring health security.
Dr. Anyaike highlighted the profound impact of climate change, particularly on infectious organisms, stressing the need to develop a document that aligns with the Ministry’s objectives and involves industrial engineers in addressing health challenges.
The Country Representative of WHO in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, through Dr. Edwin Isotu Edeb, the National Technical Officer for Public Health and Environment, expressed WHO’s support for the Federal Ministry of Health in validating reports on climate health, adaptation, vulnerability, and resilience.
He pointed out the increasing vulnerability of health to climate change, exacerbated by the escalating instances of flooding in the country leading to disease outbreaks.
He reiterated the surge in cholera cases in Lagos and Bayelsa, coupled with the impact of floods on health facilities, underscores the urgent need to address climatic challenges affecting healthcare delivery.
The evolving climate patterns have not only affected human life and productivity but have also posed significant health risks. The stakeholders gathered to formulate a policy document aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change on healthcare in Nigeria.
He stressed that the escalating flooding, which serves as breeding grounds for disease vectors, has led to a rise in malaria cases and other waterborne diseases.
The WHO representative stressed the importance of proactive measures within the health sector to combat climate-induced challenges and bridge existing gaps.
“The validation of the report by stakeholders signifies a crucial step towards identifying priority interventions for implementation in Nigeria. These interventions align with the national health security agenda and the Health Minister’s goal of safeguarding the Nigerian population from health emergencies.”
Addressing the financial aspects and adaptation strategies outlined in the assessment, Mr. Dave McConalogue, Senior Health Adviser at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Nigeria, disclosed the UK’s support for the process over the past year.
He emphasized the significance of financing economic mobility and adaptation assessments which helps Nigeria fulfill its commitments made at COP 26 in building a climate-resilient, low-carbon healthcare system.
“Apart from the FCDO, various health partners are collaborating closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and other sectors to advance this critical agenda.
“The assessment’s outcomes will provide valuable insights at the national, state, and local government levels, guiding effective responses to climate challenges within the healthcare sector.”
Speaking on gender vulnerability, Mrs. Rukayya Mohammad, Director of the Help Desk at the National Climate Council in Nigeria, highlighted the gender policies addressing gender-based violence and the inclusion of gender-related recommendations in the assessment.
She further assured Nigerians of forthcoming gender-related initiatives.
“The assessment represents a positive development in line with the National Council on Climate Change’s mandate to integrate climate change activities across all sectors, including healthcare.
“Climate change serves as a catalyst for disease multiplication, especially with the increase in flooding, drought, and desertification leading to disease outbreaks such as the recent cholera incidents in Lagos and Bayalsa state.
”The National Council on Climate Change aims to embed climate change programs and initiatives in the healthcare sector, promoting environmentally-friendly practices such as green procurement processes, renewable energy utilization, and reducing the sector’s carbon footprint,” she added.
