Deputy director of Global Health Informatics, AbdulHamid Yahaya recently highlighted the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting and managing climate-related health risks as climate change increasingly affects global health.
Yahaya highlighted the need for technology-driven solutions in an interview with journalists over the weekend in Abuja.
Yahaya explained that AI can analyse diverse data sources, including weather patterns and sanitation conditions, to forecast disease outbreaks more accurately. “By leveraging AI and machine learning models, we can predict outbreaks of climate-sensitive diseases like malaria and cholera by analysing multi-sectoral data such as sanitation levels and weather conditions,” he said. This predictive capability allows health systems to respond quickly to potential health threats, helping to mitigate their impacts.
He stressed the significance of technology-enabled forecasting, which enables authorities to act promptly, enhancing both preparedness and response. Yahaya described his organisation’s commitment to data-driven strategies that aim to reduce the health vulnerabilities posed by climate change. “As the climate crisis escalates, health systems need to incorporate technological solutions to anticipate and address this evolving landscape of health threats,” he said.
Through its strategic initiatives, Yahaya noted that eHealth Africa is helping advance Nigeria’s public health goals while setting an example in global health security amid climate challenges. “With unprecedented climate changes occurring, building adaptive health systems is no longer optional—it’s essential,” he added.
Yahaya also highlighted how Nigeria’s proactive approach in aligning health security with climate resilience could serve as a model for other countries. He called for urgent efforts to establish climate-resilient health systems, emphasising the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing the growing strain climate change places on global public health. Through these efforts, he said, Nigeria is leading the way toward a new era of health resilience that will safeguard both current and future generations.
