The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health from the growing impact of climate change by strengthening the state's health system through collaboration and strategic planning.

The commitment was made during a one-day 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 at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Ilorin.

Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, described climate change as one of the greatest public health challenges of the present time, noting that its effects extend beyond environmental concerns to disease outbreaks, food security, water supply, sanitation, nutrition and emergency response.

She said Kwara State has continued to experience climate-related challenges such as flooding, drought, rising temperatures and environmental degradation, all of which threaten the health and livelihoods of residents, particularly vulnerable groups.

According to her, changing weather patterns have contributed to the increasing spread of climate-sensitive diseases, including malaria, cholera and diarrhoeal diseases, making it necessary to strengthen the state's healthcare system and improve climate adaptation measures.

The commissioner disclosed that Kwara has aligned with the Federal Government's Health National Adaptation Plan by developing the Kwara State Climate and Health Adaptation Plan (KwCHAP), a framework designed to improve preparedness for climate-related health emergencies, protect communities and build a more resilient healthcare system.

She stressed that the success of the plan depends on effective implementation and called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to integrate climate-sensitive actions into their programmes.

Delivering a presentation, the Director of Public Health, Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode, said priority interventions under the adaptation plan include improving preparedness for floods and heatwaves, strengthening water, sanitation and hygiene services, enhancing disease surveillance and ensuring uninterrupted primary healthcare during climate emergencies.

He added that the plan also focuses on protecting pregnant women, children and the elderly while promoting heat action plans and other measures to improve community resilience.

Also speaking, the State Climate Change and Health Desk Officer, Dr Charles Ayeni, explained that although the Health National Adaptation Plan provides national direction, KwCHAP was specifically developed to address Kwara's unique climate and public health challenges, including flooding, drought, heat stress and gaps in emergency preparedness.

The workshop brought together representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners, academia and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration towards implementing the state's climate and health adaptation strategy.