The Nigerian authorities has stated it’s taking proactive steps to safeguard its residents from well being dangers linked to local weather change, as the worldwide local weather disaster continues to pressure well being programs.
The Coordinating Minister of Well being and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, made this dedication in the course of the launch of Nigeria’s first-ever Local weather Well being Vulnerability And Adaptation Evaluation Report.
The report was launched on the finish of the three-day maiden version of Nigeria’s Well being – in Abuja on Friday.
In a publish on his X deal with, Mr Pate, a professor, stated the report offers important insights into the impacts of local weather change on well being throughout Nigeria.
He stated by figuring out climate-related well being dangers, the report helps the creation of a resilient well being system able to addressing the challenges posed by a altering setting.
Mr Pate famous that this initiative underscores the current administration’s dedication to sustainable well being safety and the well-being of Nigerians.
Local weather change, well being
In 2022, Nigeria skilled its worst flooding in over a decade, with over two million individuals displaced as a stark consequence of local weather change.
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Since then, the nation has been experiencing annual flooding, which displaces hundreds of individuals, rising the chance of malaria and cholera outbreaks.
In northern Nigeria, drought and desertification are decreasing arable land and worsening meals insecurity, whereas intensifying warmth waves are elevating well being dangers and rising power calls for.
Research have linked local weather change to well being points corresponding to cerebrospinal meningitis, cardiovascular and respiratory issues, pores and skin most cancers, malaria, hypertension and elevated morbidity.
The teams most susceptible to those climate-related well being dangers embrace youngsters, pregnant girls, the aged, people with persistent sicknesses and disabilities, and people dwelling in excessive poverty.
Safeguarding well being
In his remarks, the WHO Nation Consultant for Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, said that the report is an important milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard well being within the face of local weather change.
Mr Mulombo stated local weather change was acknowledged as probably the most vital menace to international well being within the twenty first century on the 77th World Well being Meeting.
“It threatens the important components of fine well being – clear air, protected consuming water, nutritious meals provide and protected shelter – and has the potential to undermine a long time of progress within the well being system,” he stated.
“The Local weather Well being Vulnerability and Adaptation Evaluation Report 2024 is a testomony to Nigeria’s dedication to addressing the well being impacts of local weather change.”
Annual assessment
The Joint Annual Evaluate (JAR) themed: “It’s for All of Us: Accelerating Our Well being Sector Reforms Collectively” introduced stakeholders collectively to judge and coordinate well being sector reform efforts.
Mr Pate stated the significance of the JAR can’t be overstated.
“Greater than a assessment course of, the JAR is a testomony of our dedication to constructing a well being system that’s clear, accountable, responsive, and resilient,” he stated.
“By setting this assessment in movement, now we have laid a basis for steady enchancment and adaptation.”
The minister stated a key end result of the assessment is the institution of a devoted centered on strengthening the nation’s well being information programs.
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He stated the group will implement common well being mini-surveys, bridging the present five-year hole in information assortment from the Nationwide Demographic and Well being Survey (NDHS).
He famous that by means of well timed and dependable information, the group will empower the federal government to trace progress, deal with rising well being threats, and make knowledgeable, data-driven selections important to the sector’s success.
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