Africa Witnessing an Increase in Climate-linked Health Emergencies- WHO Warns
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has disclosed that there is a sharp rise in public health emergencies resulting from climate change -related outcomes over the past two decades in Africa
A report by the world health governing body states that more than half (2,121 or 56% ) of the public health events recorded in the African region between 2001 and 2021, were climate-related causes.
Speaking on the issue on the commemoration of the ‘World Health Day’ on April 7, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said that the African Region is witnessing an increase in climate-linked emergencies, with 25% more climate-related events recorded between 2011 and 2021 compared with the previous decade.
“In Africa, frequent floods, water- and vector-borne diseases are deepening health crises. Although the continent contributes the least to global warming, it bears the full consequences,”
The WHO analysis found that water-borne diseases accounted for 40% of the climate-related health emergencies over the past two decades of which diarrhoeal diseases are the third leading cause of disease and death in under 5 children.
Also, vector-borne diseases, such as yellow fever, accounted for 28% of the climate-related health emergencies, while zoonotic diseases, specifically Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever, were the third most prevalent.
Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever is a viral disease transmitted to people from ticks and livestock and has an outbreak fatality rate of up to 40%.
The report also shows that natural disasters on the continent have also spiked dramatically since 2010, with 70% of all-natural disasters occurring between 2017 and 2021. Floods were the most frequent event, accounting for 33% of all the reported natural disasters.
“Climate change is one of the greatest threats to humanity. The entire foundation of good health is in jeopardy with increasingly severe climatic events. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, added.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti further called on governments to, consider climate change effect on her people and prioritise human well-being in all key decisions. The world health governing body believes that government can contribute its quota in the fight by committing to stop new fossil fuel explorations and subsidies, tax polluters and implement WHO air quality guidelines.
The World Health Day is being marked under the theme, “Our Planet, Our Health.”
