The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, has formally inaugurated the Oyo State Technical Working Group on Climate and Health (TWG), as part of efforts to strengthen the State’s capacity to address the growing public health impacts of climate change.
Speaking at the inauguration held at the Ministry’s conference room, Secretariat Ibadan, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, described climate change as no longer a distant environmental concern but a major public health challenge with direct implications for the health and well-being of residents.
She highlighted that changing temperatures, rainfall patterns and other extreme weather events were already contributing to heat-related illnesses, flooding, drought, vector- and water-borne diseases, respiratory conditions, food insecurity and other health emergencies across the State.
“In Oyo State, we are already witnessing some of these effects through rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, flooding and environmental degradation, all of which have implications for the health and well-being of our people,” she said.
According to the commissioner, TWG is a multi-sectoral body comprising representatives of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), technical experts, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), academia and other development partners.
She explained that the group would strengthen the capacity of the State health sector to anticipate, prepare for and respond effectively to climate-related health risks, while ensuring the continuity of essential health services.
Dr. Ajetunmobi described the TWG as a platform for coordinated planning, technical guidance, risk assessment, evidence generation, preparedness and response, while supporting the integration of climate considerations into health policies, programmes and service delivery across the State.
The Commissioner emphasised that building a climate-resilient health system required collaboration beyond the Ministry of Health. She therefore called for the active participation of relevant MDAs, development partners, academia, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities.
She urged members of the TWG to bring their expertise, experience and institutional support to bear in protecting the people of Oyo State from the health risks associated with a changing climate.
In his remarks, the permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde who was represented by the Director of Tertiary Health Care Services, Dr. Idris Fasasi, described the inauguration as a critical step towards shifting the State’s approach from reacting to climate-related emergencies to proactive prevention, preparedness, anticipation and resilience.
He noted that climate change had become a major health, development and equity issue, contributing to flooding, drought, food insecurity, malnutrition, infectious diseases, injuries, displacement, psychological distress, extreme heat and worsening cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
The Permanent secretary outlined some of the key responsibilities of the TWG to include identifying climate-related health risks and developing vulnerability profiles; strengthening disease surveillance and early-warning systems; improving community awareness and emergency preparedness; mobilising sustainable financing; integrating climate-health considerations into State policies, budgets and programmes; and developing climate-resilient health facilities with reliable energy, safe water, sanitation and waste management systems.
He emphasised the need to prioritise vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, older persons, persons with disabilities, people living with chronic illnesses, low-income households, farmers, outdoor workers and communities in flood-prone areas.
He also called for stronger research collaboration with the University of Ibadan and other relevant institutions to generate evidence and develop locally relevant solutions to climate-related health challenges.
“Success will not be measured by the number of meetings or reports produced, but by whether our people become safer and our health system more resilient. We must use climate information to guide public health decisions and protect vulnerable communities before disasters occur,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Olaniyan Babatunde, appreciated all stakeholders for their participation and urged members of the TWG to remain committed and proactive in discharging their responsibilities towards achieving a healthier and more resilient Oyo State.
The inauguration further underscored the commitment of the Oyo State Government to strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration and building a health system capable of responding effectively to the emerging health challenges associated with climate change. The event was attended by Directors, representatives of relevant MDAs, technical experts, development partners, stakeholders in the health and climate sectors and other senior officials of the Ministry of Health.
