Health ministers and delegates from 20 African countries on Thursday adopted a landmark declaration aimed at enhancing climate resilience within health systems and addressing the adverse health impacts of climate change across the continent.
The Harare Declaration was endorsed during the inaugural Climate and Health Africa Conference, which brought together over 500 participants, including government officials, academics, funding agencies and civil society representatives.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who opened the conference, emphasized the urgency of strengthening climate resilience within health systems on the continent.
“Climate change is not merely an environmental disaster. It is a public health emergency. I firmly believe the recommendations from this conference will pave the way for a healthier and more sustainable continent, where no one and no place is left behind,” Mnangagwa said.
The Harare Declaration aligns with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) newly adopted framework for building climate-resilient and sustainable health systems in Africa.
“Our region deals with multiple climate-induced emergencies every year. Ensuring health systems resilience is key,” WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti said during the conference.
The declaration addresses the escalating burden of climate-sensitive diseases in Africa, including a notable 14 percent rise in malaria transmissions in 2023, which may endanger an additional 147-171 million people by 2030.
Furthermore, 18 African countries reported cholera outbreaks linked to natural disasters, contributing to over 836,600 cases from January 2023 to March 2024, alongside widespread malnutrition and population displacement.
To combat these challenges, the declaration outlines a comprehensive strategy that includes strengthening research efforts on climate change’s specific impacts on health and integrating climate considerations into national health policies. It also emphasizes the need for improved surveillance and early warning systems to effectively monitor climate-related health risks.
It calls for the development of climate-resilient health systems by enhancing health infrastructure and training the workforce to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
JN/APA