Climate-related health emergencies on the rise in Africa, WHO

On World Health Day, the World Health Organisation called on "governments to prioritise human well-being in all key decisions" as the body cited rising "climate-related health emergencies".

World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa said Thursday, a  study " found that of the more than 2000 public health events recorded in the African Region in the decade up to 2021, more than half were climate-related. "  Between 2011 and 2021, the continent experienced " 25% more climate-related events compared to the previous decade . " Water-borne diseases, mainly due to cholera outbreaks, " accounted for 40% of climate-related health emergencies in the past 20 years ", WHO Regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said.  Diarrhoeal diseases are the third leading cause of disease and death in under 5 children. A significant proportion of these deaths is preventable through safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene. Fearing the " foundation of good health [to be] in jeopardy " because of increasingly severe climatic events, she urged governments to " prioritise human well-being in all key decisions ".