Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako says Climate Change is not just an Environmental issue, but also one of profound Public Health threat describing it as a malaria burden amplifier.
Salako who stated this at a Regional Roundtable on the sidelines of the 77th World Health Assembly held in Geneva Switzerland added that It is imperative to understand the link between climate and malaria transmission, so that efforts can be galvanized for eradication strategies that are climate-proof.
It’s the 77th World Health Assembly and Nigeria’s minister of state for Environment, Iziaq Salako is participating.
Having practiced in the public health sector before his appointment, Salako while fielding questions at this roundtable says he clearly understands the nexus between climate challenge and health and is able to work towards factoring climate issues into Nigeria’s health agenda.
Available Studies in major Nigerian cities show that the prevalence of malaria is significantly dependent on the increase in rainfall and temperature.
And like many countries in Africa, this has strained health systems, reduced productivity and economic wellbeing of the people.
This challenge the Minister says calls for one health approach, a comprehensive and integrated approach to tackling the problem.
The Minister’s participation at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA)
puts Nigeria on the global space as a champion in mainstreaming health into climate change policies.
It is the first time a minister in Nigeria’s Environment Sector will be invited to participate in the World Health Assembly.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
