SEO Riders:
- – Nigeria launches health-focused climate change policy following stakeholder validation
- – Workshop highlights link between floods, disease outbreaks, and vulnerable populations
– WHO supports policy aimed at bolstering early-warning and health system resilience
At a pivotal Stakeholders Validation Workshop in Abuja, Nigeria officially unveiled a new Climate Change and Healthcare Policy. The initiative builds upon the findings of the Climate Change Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment, underpinning a stronger integration of climate risks into the national health agenda.
Why This Matters:
- – Rising health threats tied to climate events: Participants highlighted how flooding has fueled cholera outbreaks, expanded malaria zones, and increased lymphatic filariasis risks, particularly in over 583 local government areas. Alarmingly, floods account for 40% of climate-related health emergencies—fraught with drowning, illness, and displacement.
- – Multisector collaboration at work: The workshop fostered inclusive participation—bringing together federal health officials, WHO representatives, and technical consultants—to co-develop a credible, implementable response framework for health-system resilience.
- – WHO backing and urgency: Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, alongside WHO officials, emphasized the importance of climate-lens policies in Nigeria’s health planning. Key actions include enhanced disease surveillance systems for climate-sensitive illnesses and the need for workforce training to respond effectively to related emergencies.
- Next Steps: Translate the validated policy into action through health system preparedness, early-warning mechanisms, and training for health professionals on climate-linked risks.
- – Mobilize adequate financing and community-level implementation, especially for high-risk states and urban centers.
- – Monitor progress through periodic updates to the National Health Policy and Health Sector Strategic Plans, making climate resilience a permanent pillar.
