By Onyimbi Nelson
As the globe commemorates World Health Day 2023 this 7th April, deteriorating health outcomes including reproductive, neonatal, maternal, and child health are tied to the rapid global climate change, and this was demonstrated in the recently concluded African Health Agenda International Conference 2023 convened by AMREF Health Africa in Kigali, Rwanda.
World Health Day is celebrated annually on the 7th of April to take stock of gains made in the promotion of health, to pick best practices from ongoing interventions, and to renew commitments geared towards better health environments. World Health Day 2023 is themed “Health for All” as a call to action for African governments to upscale and strategize public health expenditures with regard to the regional policy instruments including the Abuja Declaration and the African Charter on Human and People Rights.
In Kenya, some of the adverse impacts of climate change have interfered with the health supply chain and contributed to reversing gains made in health over the past few years. In some areas, the effects of climate change seen in droughts, floods, and extreme weather happenings have interrupted access to essential services including immunization, vaccinations, access to medication, and contraceptives. Infectious diseases spread more, poverty due to high out-of-pocket health expenditures, and the shutting down of health facilities also weigh the health sector down. Mostly affected are young girls, expectant women, and children, ultimately watering down the vision of Universal Health Coverage and the “Health for All” slogan.
The government needs to develop resilience in the health system through prioritization of preventive health to mitigate climate change impacts on health. Economically, preventive health reduces health expenditures and minimizes casualties and deaths. This can be done by planning early and procuring supplies adequately, integrating essential services into the national climate-health adaptation strategies, and strengthening community health units as the entry point of national health. Diversity, equality, and equity should be the basis of health design thinking in order to leave no one behind.
As it stands, Africa contributes the least in carbon emissions compared to Europe, America, and Asia due to relatively lower industrialization and reliance on agriculture. However, due to the impartial nature of nature, African countries including Kenya suffer the most from the adverse implications of climate change. In order to secure positive outcomes for current and future generations, the government needs to also enhance partnerships for mutual goals to create a sustainable and equitable future for all citizens.
Happy health day 2023!
Onyimbi Nelson is a youth advocate at NAYA Kenya
