Kenya redefining the link between health and climate change

As the world acknowledges and makes effort to deal with the diverse effects of climate change on human health, biodiversity and eco systems, the health sector has been cited as a major source of green house gases.  

In a press statement released at the start of the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muriuki, noted that five of the leading causes of death are climate sensitive and the situation is likely to be worsened by projected climate change.

Climate change-related health risks disproportionately affected vulnerable including women, girls, children and people living with disability.

The health sector remained a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, with an annual production equal to over 500 coal fired power plants, according to the WHO.

The Principal Secretary noted that the intricate relationship between health activities and their contribution to climate change remained largely unacknowledged.

“While the health sector is essential for public well-being, it inadvertently contributes to green house emissions and environmental degradation,” she noted. 

Among the strategic shifts that the Kenya Government is making towards a more climate friendly health sector is solarizing health facilities, prioritizing ecofriendly products and equipment and adoption on non-burn technology for clinical waste management in high volume health facilities.

An air pollution centre of excellence has been established at KEMRI. The centre aims to become a research hub on air pollution and health with a mid-term vision of transitioning to a WHO collaborative centre for environmental health and air pollution research.

The MOH is also in the process of developing the Kenya Climate Change and Health Strategy (KCCHS) 2023-2027. This will be a collaborative blueprint to guide long and short-term action in climate change and health. Further, health care providers have been trained on the use of carbon management tool to calculate and track the carbon footprint of health care operations.