As climate change increasingly impacts health systems globally, the Federal Government has announced proactive measures to protect Nigerians from climate-related health risks.
Senior programme officer at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Dogara Okara highlighted these initiatives on Friday in Abuja, noting that the Joint Annual Review (JAR) serves as a key platform for advancing the sector-wide approach (SWAp) in Nigeria.
Okara shared insights into the ministry’s recent efforts to assess and mitigate climate vulnerabilities, particularly in high-risk regions like the northwest and northeast. He explained that the ministry adopted the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) operational framework to shape its approach.
“Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it’s a serious health challenge,” he stated. “Our recent assessments, guided by WHO’s six health system building blocks and climate-resilient framework, provide a roadmap for strengthening health resilience across Nigeria.”
According to him, the ministry’s assessment, conducted from January to July 2024, used a multi-stage sampling method to pinpoint areas most at risk.
“Vulnerability ‘heat maps’ revealed that the northwest and northeast regions face the highest risks, with projected increases in diseases like malaria, dengue fever and typhoid in the coming years. Vector-borne and water-borne diseases are expected to rise by about 21 per cent due to changing climate patterns,” he warned.
Okara highlighted the urgent need for preventive and adaptive measures. “The ministry’s assessment also forecasts significant increases in rainfall and sea levels, potentially leading to widespread flooding, especially in coastal states,” he explained. “These conditions are likely to cause not only physical injuries but also mental health challenges, economic losses and disruptions to essential services.”
To address these threats, Okara noted that the ministry is strengthening partnerships with international organisations, including WHO, the World Bank and the Global Fund. “Their technical and logistical support has been invaluable. We’re working hand-in-hand with these partners to build a climate-resilient health system for Nigeria,” he added.
The ministry’s report outlines over 150 recommendations, with a strong focus on improving disease surveillance, community engagement and emergency response capabilities.
Okara emphasised the importance of collaboration at both local and national levels, saying, “Addressing climate-related health risks requires teamwork—not only across government agencies but with the communities who are on the front lines of these changes.”
With the ministry’s proactive stance, Okara expressed optimism that Nigeria’s health sector can mitigate some of the most severe effects of climate change. “Our goal is to protect every Nigerian, especially those in the most vulnerable areas, from the health impacts of climate change,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to review the ministry’s comprehensive report for detailed recommendations.
A range of local and international stakeholders, including donors and civil society organisations, attended the launch event. Many representatives praised the ministry’s approach, with some emphasising the importance of community engagement in implementing these reforms.
