Mamora: Climate Change Crisis Worsening Nigeria’s Disease Burden

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The environmental crisis in Nigeria and across the globe is worsening diseases in Nigeria, says the Federal Government. Specifically, Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunmibe Mamora, in his address on the World Health Day held on Thursday in Abuja, said the effect of COVID-19 and the climate change crisis have unsettled the lives of millions of people worldwide. The situation is causing profound disruptions in the global economy, supply chains and economic growth, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs hard hit, according to the minister.

“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,” he explained. “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,” said Mamora.

At the event, the Deputy Country Representative in Nigeria, Alexander Chimbaru, pointed out that with direct consequences for the key determinants of health, climate change “is negatively impacting” air and water quality, food security, and human habitat and shelter. 

According to him, the knock-on effect for the burden of heart and lung disease, stroke and cancer, among others, is evident from statistics that point to NCDs representing a growing proportion of Africa’s disease burden.

“In the African region, NCDs are set to overtake communicable diseases, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional conditions combined, to become the leading cause of death by 2030,” he added. “COVID-19, along with spiralling obesity, diabetes and hypertension rates, compounds the challenge, highlighting the urgency of a multi-sectoral response.”