The Nigerian Government says a multi-sectoral approach would be deployed to address the challenges in the health sector.
READ ALSO: THE CHALLENGES IN THE NIGERIAN HEALTH SECTOR AND EFFORTS TOWARDS ACHIEVING UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE
The Nigerian minister of state for health, Dr. Adeleke Mamora gave the hint at a Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the 2022 World Health Day, in Abuja.
Dr Mamora pointed out that the Federal Ministry of Health alone cannot achieve this, it needs various multidisciplinary and multi sectoral actions and initiatives that are required at the national, regional, local, and individual levels.
He said that the focus of the 2022 celebration which is on Our planet, Our health” covers the whole essence of human existence.
The minister said that issues of water, sanitation and hygiene as well as environment affects the health of citizens and must be jointly addressed.
“The current impact of various environmental crises such as climate change, avoidable pollution, food and waterborne diseases, emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, and extreme weather events on the planet’s health and every individual is increasingly difficult to ignore.
Furthermore, the environmental crisis has led to worsening non-communicable diseases, enhancing an ecosystem where various infectious diseases foster, worsening air quality, food and water shortages, and deteriorating mental health illness.
According to the American Medical Association, “scientific surveys have shown clear evidence that our patients are facing adverse health effects associated with climate change. From heat-related injuries and forest fire air pollution, to worsening seasonal allergies and storm-related illness and injuries, it is important that we make every effort to put environmentally friendly practices in place to lessen the harmful impact that climate change is affecting patient health across the globe“. Dr Mamora said.
He also said that the health impacts from climate change primarily affect the vulnerable and the elderly populations disproportionately, especially low-income communities, minorities, children, and individuals with existing health conditions. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 80 percent of climate change affects mainly children.
” It also impacts access to healthcare delivery services and disrupts primary health care infrastructure, involving healthcare utilities, ambulatory care services, and communication systems, which are all critical to maintaining emergency medical treatment services. Hospital supply chains may also see disruptions, leading to shortages of essential medicines, vaccines, and medical devices. Where there is will, there is a way. Our resolve throws light at the end of the tunnel. Such resolve demonstrated by the health care professionals, policymakers, stakeholders, development partners and interests in health have been evident during this pandemic crisis“. He noted.
He stressed that the Federal Ministry of Health will reflect on the need for strategic ideas and priorities, which should be worked on in more detail through prioritizing long term decision-making that stabilizes the welfare and security of Nigerians and their environment.
On his part, the WHO Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Alex Chimbaru, said that climate change is manifesting in increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, changing rainfall patterns, and more frequent and severe extreme weather conditions.
He said that WHO estimates that more than thirteen million annual deaths globally are due to avoidable environmental causes, including the climate crisis.
“With direct consequences for the key determinants of health, climate change is negatively impacting air and water quality, food security, and human habitat and shelter.
The knock-on effect for the burden of heart and lung disease, stroke and cancer, among others, is evident from statistics that point to NCDs representing a growing proportion of Africa’s disease burden including Nigeria.
In Nigeria and many part of the African continent, NCDs are set to overtake communicable diseases, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional conditions combined, to become the leading cause of death by 2030.
COVID-19, along with spiraling obesity, diabetes and hypertension rates, compounds the challenge, highlighting the urgency of a multi-sectoral response“. Dr Chimbaru.
He noted that in Nigeria, climate change is already increasing the vulnerability of health systems.
“Warming of 2-3°C is estimated to increase the higher risks of malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, Lassa fever, cholera and other diseases especially in coastal regions such as Lagos and Port Harcourt and in the Lake Chad Basin. Consequently, Nigeria’s commitment to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission by 20% unconditionally and 47% with international support, and the development the Sectoral Action Plan (SAP) for the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in the key priority sectors are commendable“. He said.
He however said 3 in 10 people in Nigeria don’t have clean water close to home, putting them under constant threat from waterborne diseases like cholera.
Some of the Civil society organizations at the briefing commended the government for all efforts being made to achieve a clean and safe environment.
The Theme of the 72nd World Health Day, 2022, with the theme: “Our planet, Our health”.
