Kwara strengthens multi-sectoral collaboration on climate change, health adaptation

 

 

The Kwara State Government has said it would continue to strengthen health sector’s resilience against the effects of climate change through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach.

This was the focus of a one-day Non-Residential Multi-Sectoral Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on Climate Change and Health, the Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP), and the implementation of the Kwara State Climate and Health Adaptation Plan (KwCHAP), held recently at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Ilorin.

Declaring the workshop open, Amina Ahmed El-Imam, commissioner for Health, described climate change as one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, noting that its impact extends beyond the environment to affect disease patterns, food security, water supply, sanitation, nutrition and emergency response systems.

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A statement signed by Saad Hamdalat, Press Sec MOH; El-Imam observed that Kwara State, like many parts of the country, has continued to experience climate-related events such as flooding, drought, rising temperatures and environmental degradation, all of which had direct consequences on the health and livelihoods of residents, particularly vulnerable populations.

The Commissioner explained that changing weather conditions had contributed to the increasing prevalence and wider spread of climate-sensitive diseases, including malaria, cholera and diarrhoeal diseases.

According to her, these emerging realities required deliberate investments in health system preparedness and climate adaptation strategies.

El-Imam disclosed that the state had aligned with the Federal Government’s Health National Adaptation Plan by developing the Kwara State Climate and Health Adaptation Plan (KwCHAP).

She added that the plan provides a practical framework for protecting communities, strengthening health services and improving preparedness for climate-related health emergencies.

She noted that while developing a strategic plan is important, its success depends on effective implementation, stressing that measurable actions, sustained commitment and institutional accountability will determine the extent to which the State is able to reduce climate-related health risks.

The Commissioner further emphasised that the Ministry of Health cannot implement the adaptation plan alone, describing health as a cross-cutting sector that requires the active participation of all relevant stakeholders.

She therefore, called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to integrate climate-sensitive actions into their respective programmes.

According to her, key institutions including the Ministries of Environment, Water Resources, Agriculture, Planning, Finance, Works and Housing, Energy, Local Government, emergency management agencies, development partners and academia all have complementary roles to play in achieving the objectives of the adaptation plan.

El-Imam expressed satisfaction with the wide representation of stakeholders at the workshop, saying their presence reflects a shared commitment to building a climate-resilient health system.

She also urged participants to translate discussions into practical actions that will deliver lasting benefits for communities across the state.

Delivering his presentation, Oluwatosin Fakayode, director of Public Health, described climate adaptation as the process of adjusting health systems, programmes and communities to reduce the adverse health effects of climate change.

He stressed that adaptation is essential for sustaining quality healthcare delivery amid changing climatic conditions. Fakayode explained that priority adaptation measures for Kwara State include; improving preparedness for floods and heatwaves, strengthening water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in vulnerable communities, enhancing disease surveillance and ensuring continuity of Primary Health Care services during climate-related emergencies.

He added that the adaptation plan also prioritises the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant women, children and older persons, while promoting the development of heat action plans and other interventions that will improve community resilience.

Also speaking, Charles Ayeni PhD, the State Climate Change and Health Desk Officer, explained that although the Health National Adaptation Plan provides the national framework for climate and health, every state faces unique environmental and public health challenges that require tailored interventions.

Ayeni said Kwara developed the Kwara State Climate and Health Adaptation Plan (KwCHAP) to address its specific realities, including flooding, heat stress, drought, WASH challenges, Primary Health Care service gaps and emergency preparedness needs.

He noted that while HNAP provides the national direction, KwCHAP serves as the state’s operational roadmap for protecting public health against the growing impacts of climate change.

The workshop brought together representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners and other key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and mobilise collective action towards the successful implementation of the Kwara State Climate and Health Adaptation Plan.