Malawi Health Minister Calls for Action on Climate Change
Chiponda also called for financial partners to provide additional funding for climate and health research and actions in Africa.
Lilongwe, Malawi - Malawi's Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has called for African countries to unite in addressing the adverse effects of climate change on health, writes Judgement Katika.
Speaking at the opening of a regional workshop on health and climate change, Chiponda said that climate change is already having a significant impact on people's health and that this impact is only going to get worse.
"We need to take action now to protect our health from the effects of climate change," he said.
"We need to work together to build climate-resilient health systems."
The workshop, which is being attended by delegates from Africa, Europe, and other parts of the world, is aimed at developing a common African position on how to address the health impacts of climate change.
Chiponda also called for financial partners to provide additional funding for climate and health research and actions in Africa.
"We need to invest in research to better understand the health impacts of climate change," he said.
"We also need to invest in interventions that can help protect people's health from the effects of climate change."
The workshop is being organized by the Malawi Ministry of Health, Amref Health Africa, and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA).
In a statement, PACJA's Executive Director, Mithika Mwenda, said that the workshop is an important opportunity for African countries to come together and develop a common plan to address the health impacts of climate change.
"Climate change is a serious threat to health in Africa," he said.
"This workshop is an important step towards building a more resilient health system for the continent."
The workshop is expected to conclude on Friday.