The Cross River State chapter of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has applauded Governor Benedict Ayade for improving health care in the state especially in the appointment of a young, vibrant Commissioner into health ministry, Dr Inyang Asibong and the creation of climate change ministry that will be in tandem with health ministry to yield substantial and immediate health benefits to the people.
The Association through its Chairman, Dr Ikpeme, Offiong gave the commendation recently during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong to invite her to be a special guest on the 2016 Annual Conference Of the Nigeria Medical Association, with the theme: ‘CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH’. The sub themes are : ‘Environmental Pollution and its Impact on Health in Nigeria’: ‘Green Tourism: THE CROSS RIVER STATE Perspective’ and “New and Re-emerging Diseases ‘.
The Health Commissioner, Dr Asibong hailed the Association for believing in Governor Ayade in demonstrating wisdom and political will in creating Climate Change Ministry that will stand hand in hand with climate negotiations to confront climate change in the state and Nigeria as the country.
Dr Asibong, however, urged the Association that she is an active member to take advantage of the conference to provide broad based professionalism to mitigate effect of climate change in Nigeria.
“According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimate, climate change will cause an additional 250, 000 deaths per year between 2030 and 2050. Most will likely die for Malaria, diarrhoea, heat exposure, cancer and under nutrition. The impact of climate change on Health is alarming. All over the world, the changes in the climate is affecting all humans in adverse ways, from the food, air, and water we take in.”
“As a result of air pollution, WHO reports that in 2012, about 7 millions people died which is one in eight of the total deaths. Air pollution shows greater link to Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as cancers. The pollutions come from burnt fossils, gas flaring, deforestation, bad waste disposal practice etc. Nigeria has about 11 millions stunted children due to under nutrition already accounts for 3 millions deaths each year as a result of rising temperature and more variable rainfalls caused by the global warming induced by large emissions. All of these add pressure to the continuous loss of control to sustain the require health standard.”
By Eval Asikong
