Climate Change: Local solutions for a global problem – Pate

Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has emphasised the need for localised solutions to address the consequences of climate change.

Pate said this on Thursday in Abuja, while delivering a keynote address at the 10th edition of the Future of Health Conference, organised by Nigeria Health Watch.

The theme of the conference is “From Evidence to Action: Building Resilience at the Climate-Health Nexus”.

Pate stressed that Nigeria’s unique challenges required tailored responses, leveraging available resources effectively.

The minister highlighted Nigeria’s struggles with climate-related disruptions, including flooding and droughts, which have led to a surge in climate-sensitive diseases.

“Climate change affects not only infectious diseases but also non-communicable diseases like respiratory issues and cardiovascular conditions, now the fastest-growing health burden in Nigeria.

“The adverse effects on food systems, leading to malnutrition and food insecurity, are also a major concern.”

Tamer Rabie, Global Programme Lead for Climate and Health at the World Bank, acknowledged Nigeria’s progress but noted that results were yet to be seen.

He remained hopeful that the country was moving in the right direction to support the most vulnerable populations.

The Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, Mrs Vivianne lhekweazu, said that the theme for the 2024 conference was born out of a need to ensure that Nigerians better understand that climate change was not a theoretical concept.

“It is a fundamental concept and also, we want Nigerians to understand what climate change is.

“We often wonder whether the language used for climate change is obscure, but quite frankly, most people can relate to the climate impact.”

She said that discussions would be around changing climate patterns and the impact they would have on response to future vaccines in Nigeria.

It was reported that the Future of Health Conference which began in 2015, provides a platform to engage stakeholders across the health ecosystem to tackle pressing issues facing the sector and providing solutions.