The World Health Organisation (WHO) has unveiled Nigeria’s inaugural Climate Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Report (VA) at the Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review (JAR 2024) held in Abuja.
The report highlights the urgent need for resilient health systems to address rising climate risks.
Delivering WHO’s goodwill message at the event, WHO head of mission and country representative for Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo emphasised that climate change represents the 21st century’s most significant health threat. “Rising temperatures, extreme weather events and shifting disease patterns are already straining health systems, livelihoods and well-being, especially among vulnerable populations,” Mulombo said.
The report projects that climate factors could soon account for up to 21 per cent of Nigeria’s disease burden, underscoring the need for immediate, transformative action.
The VA report serves as a foundational step in creating Nigeria’s Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP), a strategic framework that will guide national policies to mitigate climate-related health risks.
WHO partnered with the Nigerian government, FCDO, World Bank and UNICEF to produce this report, aligning it with the Paris Agreement and the COP26 Health Programme.
Since 2021, WHO has supported Nigeria’s commitment to a sustainable, climate-resilient health system by reinforcing initiatives such as training over 382 health workers nationwide on climate-health impacts. This effort aims to develop a robust health infrastructure capable of enduring climate shocks, ensuring the well-being of all Nigerians.
Mulombo reiterated WHO’s dedication to supporting Nigeria in building a climate-resilient health system. “Together, we can protect Nigerians from the risks of a changing climate by building a health system that prioritizes resilience,” he added.
A number of local and international stakeholders, including donors and civil society organisations, attended the launch event. Many representatives commended the initiative, with several emphasising the importance of community engagement in implementing these reforms.
