A new report has warned that Nigeria’s disease burden could reach 21% due to climate change and its escalating impact while also emphasizing the urgent need for resilient health systems to address mounting climate risks.
Titled National Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) Assessment, the report was unveiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) during the Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review (JAR 2024) on Friday in Abuja.
Among other things, the report-marks Nigeria’s first-ever Climate Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Report (VA)- warns that the risks and impact of climate change on the health sector are projected to worsen in terms of severity, duration and magnitude across all geographic areas of Nigeria.
“Under all scenarios and despite any efforts, the country’s risk to climate change is increasing and will continue to increase.” The report states these increased risks will create a situation that will impact healthcare capacity, increase the vulnerability of communities and create conditions more conducive to disease growth.
Dr Walter Mulombo, WHO is Head of Mission and Country Representative for Nigeria said during the JAR 2024 that climate change is the greatest health threat of the 21st century.
Read also: WHO seeks urgent integration of health in climate negotiations ahead of COP29
“The report projects that climate factors could soon account for up to 21 per cent of Nigeria’s disease burden, underscoring the urgency of transformative action.”
“Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting disease patterns are already straining health systems, livelihoods, and well-being, especially among vulnerable populations. Together, we can protect Nigerians from the risks of a changing climate by building a health system that prioritizes resilience,” he added.
The report identified the most climate-vulnerable states in Nigeria as Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Taraba, Bauchi, and Yobe. Other high-risk areas include parts of Niger, Kwara, southern Cross River, and Imo and Abia states.
It also forecasts that 2050 temperatures across Nigeria will rise by 1.0 to 1.1°C under moderate climate scenarios, with increases of up to 3.0°C in extreme cases. This could lead to a doubling of heat-related deaths, from 2.5 to 5 per 100,000 people by 2080.
Additionally, the report highlights that climate change will bring increased rainfall, putting an additional 800,000 people at risk of flooding by 2030.
Story was adapted from Nairametrics.
