COP28: physicians protest for climate-related health threats action

A few doctors and climate activists on Sunday conducted a demonstration at the COP28 venue to highlight climate-related health issues.

Due to climate change, the prevalence of malaria, heat stress, diarrhoea, and malnourishment is already increasing in some regions.

“We are in a lot of trouble,” stated Joseph Vipond, an emergency physician from Alberta, Canada, recalling the case of a child who lost their life to an asthma attack made worse by inhaling smoke from the unprecedented wildfires in Western Canada this year.

As the world heats up, experts say that countries need to invest more in healthcare due to the escalating threat of heatwaves and the spread of diseases like malaria and cholera.

Moreover, national delegates have advocated for enhanced global measures to protect people from the growing health and safety threats due to climate change.

“Climate-related impacts have become one of the greatest threats to human health in the 21st century,” COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber said in a statement.

Furthermore, the World Bank initiated a new Climate and Health programme on Sunday, aiming to investigate potential interventions and public health solutions for developing nations.

Governments and philanthropic organisations are anticipated, later on Sunday, to declare new funding for health issues related to climate change.