…WHO synergizes to create climate—resilient health system for Nigerians,
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Nigeria has launched its First-Ever Climate Health Vulnerability And Adaptation Assessment Report 2024 At Joint Annual Review 2024 (JAR 2024), to tackle climate-resistance diseases in the country.
The World Health Organization, WHO, Head of Mission, and Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo in a goodwill message at the launch of the Report on Friday in Abuja, reiterated WHO’s commitment to collaborate with Nigeria to ensure citizens live a healthier and more climate resistant future.
Mulombo said, ” Together, we can build a stronger health system capable of protecting all Nigerians from the risks posed by a changing climate.”
The VA report is a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard health in the face of climate change, Mulombo noted.
According to the WHO lead in Nigeria, there’s an alarming projection that 21% of Nigeria’s disease burden could be climate-related in the near future, which requires an urgent need for transformative action.
” Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting disease patterns are already having severe consequences on health systems, livelihoods, and well-being, particularly among vulnerable populations.”
In furtherance of supporting Nigeria to alleviate the health burden of citizens, WHO said that it has supported the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and partners, through the training of over 382 health workers and climate change and health desk officers across all 36 states, including the Capital City.
