- Minister says health sector should factor in floods, droughts
FUMBE CHANDA
Lusaka
MINISTER of Health Roma Chilengi says health planning for 2027 should take into account potential floods and droughts associated with El Niño, which can disrupt service delivery.
Meanwhile, Minister of Green Economy and Environment Gilbert Siame says the World Meteorological Organisation has confirmed that El Niño is established and expected to intensify into a very strong event extending into next year.
Professor Chilengi said the country needs to strengthen its surveillance systems to provide early warnings based on climate indicators.
He also said Zambia, through the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), with support from the Global Fund, has begun linking climate data to health outcomes, using malaria as a model case.
“There are interesting findings coming out already. We can actually tell that depending on how much rainfall has fallen, we can directly relate it to the consumption of malaria drugs.
“We can also begin to relate cases of watery diarrhoea in children to climate variables so that we can prepare early,” Prof Chilengi said.
The minister said this in Lusaka yesterday during the Zambia Climate and Health Dialogue.
The dialogue was held ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), scheduled for November 9 to 20, 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye.
Government is developing a health-focused position for COP31 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with a focus on early warning systems and climate-resilient health facilities.
Prof Chilengi outlined four priorities for Zambia: early warning systems, climate-resilient and green health infrastructure, climate-sensitive health programming, and sustainable financing.
He also urged planners to ensure that new health facilities incorporate green infrastructure, reliable water supplies, clean energy, infection prevention measures and proper waste management.
And Dr Siame said the anticipated El Niño requires coordinated preparedness involving climate services, disease surveillance, water and sanitation, and disaster management.
He said Zambia’s COP31 priorities will include adaptation, increased grant-based climate financing and recognition of health-related costs under loss and damage mechanisms.
World Health Organisation country representative Clement Lasuba said the Lusaka dialogue is part of continent-wide national consultations aimed at securing an expert dialogue on health at COP31 and building support for a lasting health mandate. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home