Local weather-related well being emergencies are on the rise in Africa, although the continent contributes the least to international warming, the World Well being Group (WHO) stated on Wednesday.
In keeping with new WHO evaluation such climate-related well being emergencies account for “greater than half of public well being occasions recorded within the area over the previous 20 years,” its regional bureau stated in an announcement.
Of the general public well being occasions recorded all through Africa between 2001 and 2021, 56 p.c had been climate-related, the UN well being company stated.
In Africa, “frequent floods, water- and vector-borne ailments are deepening well being crises,” stated Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa.
“Though the continent contributes the least to international warming, it bears the complete penalties,” she added.
On Thursday the WHO celebrates World Well being Day, with this 12 months’s theme “Our Planet, Our Well being”.
The organisation is looking on governments to “prioritise human well-being in all key choices, cease new fossil gasoline explorations and subsidies, tax polluters and implement WHO air high quality tips”.
In Africa “diarrhoeal ailments are the third main reason for illness and demise in under-five kids,” the WHO stated in its new evaluation.
“A major proportion of those deaths is preventable via protected consuming water, enough sanitation and hygiene,” it added.
© 2022 AFP
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