The need for a prompt and efficient global reaction to the health threats brought about by Climate Change is now more crucial than ever. The impact of the Climate Crisis will not only have consequences on Public Health and medical care systems but also increase existing health and social disparities. While global attention often focuses on the environmental impacts of climate change, its significant health implications are just as pressing, particularly in Nigeria, where climate-sensitive diseases, infrastructural challenges, and socio-economic inequalities combine to increase the problem.
Several people are endangered by diseases that flourish in climate-altered environments. For example, Malaria is widespread and is projected to rise due to rising temperatures, providing ideal habitats for the Anopheles mosquito, which spreads the illness. Likewise, Meningitis outbreaks are anticipated to increase during the dry season, and with global warming extending and strengthening this period, the disease may spread even further. Furthermore, Cholera is a major health issue closely associated with inadequate water and Sanitation facilities. The increased flooding caused by environmental shifts has further worsened this problem by polluting water sources and raising the risk of waterborne illnesses.
Federal govt plans to combat the health effects of environmental shifts.
As a result, mortality and morbidity rates have risen, and the medical system in the region is under even more strain. In light of several limitations, progress has been seen at the federal level in combatting the effects of environmental shifts. A recent survey by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021 revealed that the government had intentions to implement a nationwide strategy for health and climate change, although a thorough assessment of vulnerability in this area was still pending. A thorough evaluation is essential for shaping precise medical policies and initiatives to protect the public from threats linked to global warming.
Also, the challenge affecting progress is the need for adequate financial and human resources to carry out Environmental Health strategies efficiently. Despite this critical need, only a small percentage of the country’s medical sector benefits from international funding to address environmental shifts. The widening financial disparity is causing concern, especially considering the forecasted worsening impact of global warming in the future. It is crucial for both the government and Private Sector to increase their investments to establish a medical system that can withstand the impacts of environmental shifts.
Middle-income countries require funding support from global organisations.
Countries, especially low and lower-middle-income nations, need greater access to funds from global organisations to effectively protect public wellbeing from environmental issues. It is crucial to tackle the connections between global warming and various social factors like poverty, education, and housing. The individuals at highest risk within the population are those facing poverty, including women, children, and the elderly, who bear a disproportionate burden from the wellness consequences of this weather. Citizens residing in flood-prone regions, with restricted medical care availability and insufficient financial resources to cope with environmental shifts, are disproportionately impacted.
However, the government must implement a comprehensive strategy focusing on medical care and addressing the underlying socio-economic factors influencing condition disparities in these communities. Enhancing the medical care system to combat these challenges is crucial to improving its adaptability. This involves educating medical professionals on identifying and managing environmental-related illnesses and fortifying medical facilities to withstand severe weather conditions. WHO data shows improvement in training medical workers on environmental shifts’ impact on well-being, but more work is needed to embed this knowledge into ongoing medical workforce training.
Related Article: NGO calls for data-driven environment solution
Additionally, medical facilities must undergo environmental resilience assessments to guarantee functionality during floods, heatwaves, and other severe weather events. Medical surveillance systems informed by weather data are essential for ensuring the population’s well-being. These systems can forecast the occurrence of diseases influenced by the environment, enabling timely actions to prevent loss of life and alleviate pressure on the medical care infrastructure. Only a minority of countries around the globe integrate weather and data into their medical surveillance networks, with less than 40% doing so. This underscores the importance of enhancing data collection and monitoring efforts to improve preparedness for and management of the medical effects of global warming.