FG TO ADOPT MULTI SECTORAL APPROACH IN TACKLING NIGERIA'S HEALTH CHALLENGES
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| Adeleke Mamora Minister of State, Health |
In commemoration of the 72nd World Health Day, 2022, with the theme: “Our planet, Our health”, the Honourable Minister of State, Health, Dr. Olorunbimbe Mamora has commended the World Health Organization for creating an awareness where the people can re-imagine a world where clean air, water and food are available to all.
Mamora reiterated this belief during his keynote address at the WHO press briefing as he hoped for a society where economies concentrate on health and well-being, where cities are livable, and people have control over their health and the health of the planet.
According to the Minister, "Since 1950, the World Health Organization has selected themes every year to celebrate World Health Day, which offers a chance for the global health community to focus on pressing health-related issues that affect member states."
Olorunbimbe Mamora noted that, "after establishing the World Health Organization, the World Health Day was first observed on July 22, 1949, then later shifted to April 7 to inspire the involvement of students.
"On this occasion of the 72nd World Health Day, the theme; "Our planet, our health" emphasizes an area of priority concern for the World Health Organization that looks at the connection between the health of our planet and the health of every living creature – humans, plants, and animals, in the concept of “One Health”.
"The current impact of various environmental crises such as climate change, avoidable pollution, food and waterborne diseases, emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, and extreme weather events on the planet's health and every individual is increasingly difficult to ignore.
"The effect of COVID-19 and the climate change crisis have unsettled the lives of many individuals across the globe while causing profound disruptions in the global economy, supply chains and economic growth, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs hard hit.
The minister, in his speech, said: "furthermore, the environmental crisis has led to worsening non-communicable diseases, enhancing an ecosystem where various infectious diseases foster, worsening air quality, food and water shortages, and deteriorating mental health illness.
"According to the American Medical Association, “scientific surveys have shown clear evidence that our patients are facing adverse health effects associated with climate change. From heat-related injuries and forest fire air pollution, to worsening seasonal allergies and storm-related illness and injuries, it is important that we make every effort to put environmentally friendly practices in place to lessen the harmful impact that climate change is having on patient health across the globe.”
He noted that these health impacts from climate change primarily affect the vulnerable and the elderly populations disproportionately, especially low-income communities, minorities, children, and individuals with existing health conditions. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 80 percent of climate change affects many children. It also impacts access to healthcare delivery services and disrupts primary health care infrastructure, involving health care utilities, ambulatory care services, and communication systems, which are all critical to maintaining emergency medical treatment services. Hospital supply chains may also see disruptions, leading to shortages of essential medicines, vaccines, and medical devices.
"Where there is will, there is a way". Our resolve throws light at the end of the tunnel. Such resolve demonstrated by the health care professionals, policymakers, stakeholders, development partners and interests in health has been evident during this pandemic crisis.
He opined that, "one of the accomplishments of the COVID-19 pandemic was the way Nigerians worked together at a rapid pace in reducing the damage caused by the virus. Various health care experts and the government under the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 coordinated and supervised multi-sectoral and intergovernmental efforts to limit the virus's transmissibility. At the same time, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) executed well-planned public health response and preparedness measures to limit the transmission of the virus. The private sector(particularly CA-COVID) also added its efforts through a successful campaign in manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tailored to the needs of the health workforce, while the World Health Organization selected Nigeria to begin her mRNA production.
"Like the other five selected African countries, Nigeria is a recipient of mRNA technology transfer, and we are working hard to begin our local vaccine production to address not just COVID-19, but prepare for future pandemics, and other health priorities." He stated.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, shifting attention to our theme, "Our planet, our health", permit me to quote from the late Nobel Peace laureate Wangari Maathai, an environmentalist, who once said, "I have come to realize that the physical destruction of the earth extends to humanity, too. If we live in an environment that's wounded – where the water is polluted, the air is filled with soot and fumes, the food is contaminated with heavy metals and plastic residues, or the soil is practically dust – it hurts us, chipping away at our health and creating injuries at a physical, psychological, and spiritual level. Therefore, in degrading the environment, we degrade ourselves and all humankind." This is a profound statement that captures the essence of our gathering here today!
"This calls for urgent action to safeguard our planet and our health in line with the World Health Day theme, the government will bring together experts, policymakers, stakeholders, and development partners to set up a committee to discuss on the central scientific issues to improving and benefiting from healthy planet and respect for the integrity of living creature.
The Minister disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Health will reflect on the need for strategic ideas and priorities, which should be worked on in more detail through the following:
a.) Prioritizing long term decision-making that stabilizes the welfare and security of Nigerians and their environment
b.) Prioritizing efforts that will keep the private sector and other socio-economic organizations’ environmental and their health goals in safe hands.
c.) Implementing policies that reduce the use of fossil fuels, fossil fuels subsidies, its exploration and shift projects to increase clean energy production and use.
d.) Increasing fossil fuels related tax as an incentive for carbon reduction.
e.) Implementing the WHO air quality guidelines.
f.) Shifting the country towards a green economy by 2030.
Mamora reiterated that these would serve as the basis for a framework for an Action Plan towards reducing human and planetary health threats. Such an economy in Nigeria will improve the lives of many Nigerians and their environment while reducing exposure to environmental risks for future generations.
He noted that the Federal Ministry of Health alone cannot achieve this as it needs various multidisciplinary and multisectoral actions and initiatives that are required at the national, regional, local, and individual levels.
"The Federal Ministry of Health will provide a framework for an action plan that can be modified as desirable for local needs with a shift from fragmented approaches to policy and practice geared towards systematic actions that will promote human health as well as health of the planet." He stated.
In his conclusion, he expressed his confidence that the country's funding and implementing partners will support the targeted goals and objectives to make them achievable through appropriate funding and robust implementation.
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