Climate and Health reflections

With a Challenge as huge as climate change, where does one start from in addressing the issue? The default is to mirror the ostrich - be overwhelmed and hide one’s head in the sand. For a while I was comfortable “ostriching” away until it occurred to me that for the change I want to see, I need to contribute however small. “Tiny changes, Remarkable Results”, is what James Clear promises in his book Atomic habits. Do I want to see change? Yes! With James Clear’s encouragement, I have chosen to take those baby steps to voicing my struggles and dreams for a Healthy Africa.

Over 3 decades ago as I took the Hippocratic oath together with the Medical School class of 83/84, I was ready to change the world and make health a reality for my country. This excitement was doomed for disillusionment given that this was in the middle of the worst of times for Uganda as we grappled with the HIV and AIDS scourge. For several decades that followed my lot was to shift from rolling out one new intervention after another chasing the end to AIDS.

Just as we were starting to see the light at the end of the HIV and AIDS tunnel, COVID-19 hit. As were getting out of that the world is now awash with the impact of Climate Change on health.

I am no longer the wide eyed fresh medical doctor and yet I am far from patting myself on the back. As the cycle of passing on the baton starts to be clear in my mind, my encouragement to fresh comers on the frontline is to always focus on the priorities of the time, alongside all else that has eluded predecessors from winning the battle against ill health and disease in Africa. Climate and health are now a reality we must add to the innumerable other issues challenging health systems across Africa.

For over 25 years The World Health Organization (WHO) has been working on climate and Health. The WHO guidance is that we must not only strengthen health systems but must build them to be climate resilient and environmentally sustainable, including community engagement, if we are to remain relevant in the times.

You may be asking, “how does all this relate to me?” You need to identify your “What”, regarding Our Planet, our Health. Get to know more about Climate and Health, explore how this relates with you and engage.

Celebrating women, men, girls, and boys that are already making their contribution in this fight. Be encouraged by these words from the UN General Secretary.

“To all those working, marching, and championing real climate action, I want you to know that you are on the right side of history and that I am with you. I won’t give up this fight for our lives”. Antonio Guterres, UNGA 2023.

Pitch in!