The Federal government has collaborated with stakeholders In Abuja on July 20, 2024, to create a policy aimed at reducing the effects of Climate Change on healthcare in the country. Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, the Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, made this announcement at a two-day National Stakeholders Validation Workshop focusing on Nigeria’s Adaptation Assessment and Climate Change Health Vulnerability report. Anyaike detailed the recent surge in flooding in the country, highlighting the resulting health issues.
For example, the country has seen outbreaks of Cholera and areas where mosquitos are not breeding. Climate change has made it warmer, creating more favourable conditions for mosquitoes to breed and increasing the spread of malaria. Additionally, flooding has led to more breeding sites for lymphatic filariasis, further worsening the situation, as mentioned by him. He stated that out of the 774 Local Government Areas surveyed, a total of 583 were found to be significantly impacted by lymphatic filariasis, also referred to as elephantiasis.
All key stakeholders will focus on identifying any vulnerabilities.
Flooding has ravaged farms and caused widespread destruction of property in numerous locations. He emphasized that drowning accounted for 40 percent of flood-related complications. Due to the various health concerns related to climate change, the document is being developed to address the impacts on public health. Initially, their focus is on identifying any vulnerabilities that could potentially impact health. By engaging all key stakeholders, they aim to develop a practical document that can be put into action.
Speaking further, he mentioned that the reason for this issue may be a lack of involvement of stakeholders in the document creation process, leading to its failure to be implemented. Anyaike emphasized that the foundation of the health system relies on primary healthcare principles, and it is essential to ensure it is accessible at all levels. He proclaimed that they would develop comprehensive documentation to assist the health minister in tackling healthcare concerns within the nation.
Floods have affected many of the country’s facilities.
Dr. Walter Mulombo, the Country Representative for Nigeria at the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted the increasing susceptibility of the health sector to climate change. Dr. Mulombo, speaking through Dr. Edwin Edeh, the National Technical Officer for Public Health and Environment at WHO, emphasized the growing impact of flooding on the country. Mulomboi observed the impact of cholera in several states, noting that many health facilities were being affected. He emphasized the importance of the health sector taking proactive steps to address these concerns.
It is therefore crucial to understand the challenges as well as the gaps in order to effectively address climate crises within the sector. According to him, collaborative assessments have been undertaken with partners to identify key interventions that will address climate-related issues in health centres. This intervention aims to safeguard Nigerians from health crises and provide sufficient funding for climate-related health concerns. Mulombo highlighted that Nigeria took the lead in conducting the vulnerability assessment report.
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Moreover, Rob Wood, the Managing Director of International LTD Consultant in Halcyon, revealed that the UK government had engaged them to assist the Ministry of Health in conducting Nigeria’s inaugural climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessment. The project commenced in January and involved gathering data from all six political zones. He mentioned that over 300 stakeholders were consulted, and a thorough analysis was conducted. The focus is on current challenges and the potential future risks to the health sector due to climate change, seeking validation for the impact on Nigerian health. The report would be launched within a few weeks.