Harare (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday urged Africa to build climate-resilient health systems that can adapt to, and shield people, from hazards.
Speaking at the inaugural International Climate and Health Africa Conference in Harare, President Mnangagwa said the focus of the indaba, where evidence of climate-induced health stresses from all over African was being presented, was commendable and useful in drawing up strategies and policies.
He said evidence of climate stress includes essential data on Environmental Exposures and Climate-Health Epidemiology, while also focusing on what it takes to implement Climate Adaptation Interventions and Building Resilient Health Systems.
“Through this engagement, we must, therefore, ensure that our work continues to be grounded on the principles of ethics, and equity, particularly prioritising the most vulnerable.
“This Conference further provides for dialogue between researchers and policymakers, towards developing and exchanging solutions, which work best for our people and the continent,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the insights gained at the gathering should resonate across the continent, while shaping Africa’s contributions to COP29 and beyond on climate change impacts on health.
He added that the land on the continent that nourished people for a millennium is now being ravaged by increasingly severe heat, droughts, floods, and cyclones.
“The impacts are profound, costing African economies between 3 and 5 percent of our GDPs. Despite being among the least responsible for emissions causing the climatic disturbances, Africa bears both the brunt and cost of climate change.
“The harsh realities are distinctive, from failed crops, floods, cyclones, widespread water shortages, as well as disruptions of our cultures, identity, lives and livelihoods. These have put millions of people at risk,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said it was concerning that the financial resources necessary to enable developing nations to mitigate and adapt to climate change remain insufficient.
He said it was unfortunate that Africa carried the largest burden of climate change, yet it was the least contributor to the phenomenon.
As such, the President said, global mitigatory funding mechanisms should pay more attention to the needs of the global south.
He challenged the Conference to commit to climate resilient health systems, where African nations must embed climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into national health plans and national development strategies.
“This includes developing early warning systems as well as strengthening health infrastructure and the health workforce to ensure resilience in the face of growing climate risks.
“We must also scale up research and surveillance to understand how climate change is impacting health, especially the spread of diseases and heat stress.
“Our research should continue to focus on the vulnerable populations, including women, children and those living with disabilities, who are most affected by climate change,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the identification of critical climate-health indicators and enhancing surveillance to monitor health systems’ capacities to cope with disease outbreaks must be given due priority.
New Ziana
