Dr. Iziaq Salako, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment, highlighted the government’s action on climate change impacts on public health during an event in Abeokuta. Key measures include incorporating climate resilience in health policies, enhancing health workforce training, and establishing surveillance systems for climate-sensitive diseases. He emphasized the necessity for healthcare professionals to engage in sustainable practices and maintain minimum service standards during strikes while calling on the government to improve infrastructure and economic resilience in the face of climate challenges.
In a recent address at the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the National Association of Resident Doctors held in Abeokuta, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling the challenges posed by climate change on public health. He outlined the government’s efforts to integrate climate considerations into health policies, linking health outcomes with climate resilience in key strategic documents such as the National Health Policy and the National Health Sector Strategic Plan. Furthermore, Dr. Salako highlighted the establishment of surveillance systems to monitor climate-sensitive health issues, including vector-borne diseases, to facilitate timely responses to outbreaks. Dr. Salako underscored the urgent need for strengthening the health system and workforce to effectively mitigate the health impacts of climate change. He pointed out that climate change contributes to shifting disease patterns, with increasing incidences of respiratory illnesses, heat-related conditions, heart diseases, and the proliferation of vector-borne diseases such as malaria. He cited alarming projections from the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating that under high emission scenarios, Nigeria could see 400 million individuals at risk of malaria by 2070, as well as a projected significant increase in diarrheal diseases and heat-related deaths among the elderly by 2080. Additionally, he emphasized that climate change poses an existential threat to sustainable development and planetary health, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. To address this, Dr. Salako called for relevant training to enhance the health workforce’s capacity to respond to climate-induced emergencies and healthcare needs, particularly through incorporating courses on the intersection of climate change and health in medical and nursing schools. He asserted the critical role of environmental health officers in frontline responses to health challenges following extreme weather events. In his address, the Minister also stressed the importance of maintaining a standard minimum service in healthcare, even during strikes, urging doctors to remain engaged and dedicated to their role within the community. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhancing infrastructural development, power generation, and economic diversification to combat the challenges exacerbated by climate change and economic hardships.
The article discusses Nigeria’s proactive measures to address the impacts of climate change on public health, as articulated by Dr. Iziaq Salako during a key healthcare gathering. With the increasing repercussions of climate change manifesting in rising disease incidences and health emergencies, the government is committed to integrating climate resilience into health strategies and policies. The Nigerian administration recognizes that addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, infrastructure improvement, and a robust health response framework to safeguard the population against the impending health crises resulting from climate change.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s government is taking significant steps to confront the health effects of climate change, as highlighted by Dr. Iziaq Salako’s address. By integrating climate considerations into health policies, enhancing the health workforce’s capacity, and advocating for immediate action to strengthen the health system, Nigeria aims to mitigate the adverse impacts of extreme weather events and ensure a healthier future for its citizens. The call for unity among healthcare professionals and government commitment underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges collectively and effectively.
Original Source: von.gov.ng
