The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a climate-resilient health sector through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to tackling the growing health impacts of climate change.

The commitment was reiterated during 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 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 modern era, noting that its effects extend beyond environmental concerns to influence disease patterns, food security, water supply, sanitation, nutrition and emergency response systems.

She observed that Kwara, like many parts of Nigeria, continues to experience climate-related events such as flooding, drought, rising temperatures and environmental degradation, all of which pose significant risks to public health, particularly for vulnerable populations.

According to the Commissioner, changing weather conditions have contributed to the increasing prevalence and spread of climate-sensitive diseases, including malaria, cholera and diarrhoeal illnesses, making investments in health system preparedness and climate adaptation more urgent.

Dr 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), which provides a practical framework for protecting communities, strengthening healthcare services and improving preparedness for climate-related health emergencies.

She stressed that while developing strategic plans is important, their success depends on effective implementation, sustained commitment and institutional accountability.

The Commissioner emphasised that the Ministry of Health cannot implement the adaptation plan alone, calling on Ministries, Departments and Agencies to integrate climate-sensitive actions into their respective programmes.

She identified key stakeholders, including the Ministries of Environment, Water Resources, Agriculture, Planning, Finance, Works and Housing, Energy, Local Government, emergency management agencies, development partners and academia, as critical partners in achieving the objectives of the plan.

Dr El-Imam expressed satisfaction with the broad participation at the workshop and urged stakeholders to translate discussions into practical actions that would strengthen the state's resilience to climate-related health challenges.

Delivering a presentation at the event, the Director of Public Health, Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode, explained that climate adaptation involves adjusting health systems, programmes and communities to reduce the adverse health effects of climate change.

He said priority measures for Kwara include improving preparedness for floods and heatwaves, strengthening water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, enhancing disease surveillance and ensuring uninterrupted primary healthcare services during climate-related emergencies.

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

Also speaking, the State Climate Change and Health Desk Officer, Dr Charles Ayeni, noted that although the Health National Adaptation Plan provides a national framework, each state faces unique environmental and public health challenges that require tailored interventions.

According to him, KwCHAP was developed to address Kwara's specific needs, including flooding, heat stress, drought, WASH challenges, primary healthcare service gaps and emergency preparedness.

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