WHO wants Nigeria to prioritise investment in climate-resilient health systems

The World Health Organization (WHO) wants Nigeria to prioritise investment in climate-resilient health systems as the country prepares for the future.

The WHO said it remains a dedicated partner to Nigeria in its pursuit of a healthier and more climate-resilient future to build a stronger health system capable of protecting all Nigerians from the risks posed by a changing climate.

The Head of Mission and Representative of World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, stated this in WHO’s goodwill message at the launch of Nigeria’s first-ever Climate Health Vulnerability And Adaptation Assessment Report 2024 At Joint Annual Review 2024 (JAR 2024) in Abuja.

He described the report as a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard health in the face of climate change.

The WHO Country Representative recalled the 77th World Health Assembly where climate change was recognised as the most significant threat to global health in the 21st century that profoundly affects human lives. According to him, climate change threatens the essential ingredients of good health – clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food supply and safe shelter – and has the potential to undermine decades of progress in the health system.

“The alarming projection that in the near future, 21% of Nigeria’s disease burden could be climate-related. This underscores the 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”, he said.

He described the Climate Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Report 2024 as a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the health impacts of climate change and a precursor for action to advance health in all policies.

He added that the success of the VA report assures that partners and government work together, under one document, one plan, one conversation – SWAP.

“As a key partner in this journey, WHO facilitated Nigeria’s first-ever signing of a Health Sector Commitment to a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Health System in 2021, aligning the country’s health priorities with the Paris Agreement and the COP26 Health Programme. This historic commitment laid the foundation for developing resilient health systems capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change.

“WHO is proud to have collaborated with the Government of Nigeria and partners like Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), World Bank and our sister agency: UNICEF, on supporting several key initiatives in this area.

In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and FCDO, WHO played an important role in finalizing the Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment (VA) Report. This report provides vital data that will inform Nigeria’s Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP), a framework that will guide national health policies and ensure resilience against climate-related health risks.”, WHO added.

Dr Mulombo added that WHO, together with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and partners, have directly supported the training of over 382 health workers and climate change and health desk officers across all 36+1 states. WHO in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), led regional scoping mission in 2018 towards ending Black Soot Air Pollution in Port Harcourt.

He said the initiative has established a sub-national foundation for advancing health system climate initiatives and ensuring that local health systems are informed on the health impacts of climate change.