BY BUKOLA BARDI
The World Health Organisation WHO, says it is working towards preventing the projection that climate change related diseases will become one of the leading causes of death by the next decade if the current trend of environmental degradation is not reversed.
The Ondo state coordinator for WHO, Dr Sunday Dele-David stated this in Akure during a stakeholders meeting in commemoration of 2022 World Health Day.
According to WHO, thirteen million preventable deaths are being recorded annually from climate change as a result of human activities which were impacting negatively on the environment.
To ensure that the number does not increase, the organisation used the occasion of this year’s World Health day to rub minds with stakeholders on the way forward.
Dr Sunday Dele-David said awareness creation on the dangers of climate change to human health was one of the tools being employed by the organisation.
Dr Dele- David urged government at all levels in Nigeria to enlighten citizens on the need to use the environment in a way that their health would be enhanced.
“We are trying to tell the world that the planet has a challenge and that the challenge is actually hitting hard on the health of everyone”Dele-David Submitted
The Zonal Director, National Primary healthcare development agency, Dr Adefunke Adesope said the agency was reaching out to the people at the grassroots to let them realise that their health involved their environment.
She said “we are doing health education to make people aware that their health involves their environment, what we do affects our health and the health of other”
Earlier, the permanent secretary, Ondo State primary healthcare development agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu had noted that the theme for this year’s World Health day Our planet: Our health was apt in view of the growing cases of climate activities challenges.
Dr Akanbiemu advised residents of Ondo state to embrace tree planting as part of efforts to ensure a healthy environment.
“Everything about health has close relationship with our planet, with our environment, the way we live our lives, the way we manage our wastes, the way we do our farming are part of planet, if its not properly done, the effects on health is going to be negative” Akanbiemu said.
In a pep talk, a medical expert, Dr Paulinus Omoode suggested multi sectoral collaboration in ending climate change affecting the health of humans through industrial pollution, ozone depletion, land degradation and global warming.
Dr Omoode also identified that tree planting and reafforestation, well planned public transport system including cycling and safe walking, protection of water sources, patronising local groceries and food vendors as other ways of overcoming the challenges of climate change.
Symbolic Planting of tree
Highpoint of the meeting was the symbolic planting of tree to mark this year’s World Health day.