Written by: Mariam Idris
At a time when climate change continues to intensify public health challenges, stakeholders gathered at the Dennis Hotel, Abuja, for a pivotal workshop themed “Building Community Health Resilience through Adaptation.”
Organized by Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet) to tackle the intersecting crises of climate change and public health, the event brought together government representatives, civil society, development partners, and youth advocates to explore actionable models for strengthening resilience at the grassroots.
In his opening remarks, the National Network Coordinator (NNC) highlighted the importance of the workshop in informing national strategies and promoting community-driven climate-health adaptation solutions.
“The aim is to move into concrete actions that would bring people out of shocks caused by climate change,” he said.
His message set a tone of urgency and collaboration, acknowledging the commitment of all present.
During the goodwill segment, speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Pharm. Mohammed A. Mohammed emphasized that climate-related health threats demand unified and strategic action.
“We are creating an enabling environment to make sure those health facilities are climate friendly,” he said, adding that the agency had been training health workers to strengthen resilience in the health sector
Mya Ngon of the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria further stressed the urgency, noting that climate change amplifies health vulnerabilities such as waterborne diseases and malnutrition.
She called for stronger partnerships and systems that can withstand environmental shocks.
Understanding the nexus of climate and health in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Dr Samuel Jinadu, Health and Climate Change Thematic Lead at CSDevNet, outlined climate change as one of the most significant health challenges sobering analysis of how urban-rural disparities, flooding, mosquito outbreaks, and environmental contaminants such as microplastics are affecting health outcomes.
“It affects health directly through extreme weather and indirectly through food security, migration and infectious diseases,” he said.
“Climate change adaptation means adjusting natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climate impacts, with the aim of moderating harm, reducing vulnerabilities or taking advantage of potential opportunities.”
A Call to Action
In the closing session, the NNC reminded participants of the importance of turning dialogue into action. He encouraged the development of an actionable document based on workshop outcomes and called for future gatherings that build on this momentum.
Key Recommendations Moving Forward
The workshop produced a number of actionable recommendations:
- Integrated Approaches: Climate change’s growing health impacts require coordinated, multisectoral strategies.
- Community-Centered Models: The LAPA framework remains a valuable tool for localized health resilience.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Improved data sharing and use can enhance planning and accountability.
- Inclusive Partnerships: Stakeholder engagement must be broadened to include marginalized voices, especially at the community level.
- Sustainability Through Ownership: Empowering local communities ensures long-term impact and sustainability of interventions.
Conclusion
The Health and Climate Change Workshop in Abuja successfully created a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and solution mapping. A
s participants departed with renewed commitment, the message was clear: building health resilience in the face of climate change is not just urgent it is possible through shared vision, local action, and sustained partnerships.
