The 3rd International Health and Climate Change Conference began at the Machakos International Convention Center yesterday with a view to transforming research into action in order to address climate change.

The conference organized by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Global Health Research Unit, Amref, World Health Organization, University of Liverpool and the Kingdom of Netherlands in conjunction with the County Government of Machakos draws participants from various government and non-governmental organizations as well as the academia.

Speaking at the opening of the three-day workshop, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said climate change is becoming a visible reality in Kenya with rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and extreme weather conditions becoming life-threatening.

Universal health care

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths annually between 2030- 2050 worldwide.

Ms Muthoni said climate change and health are intertwined and there was need to act urgently to transform research into action. She said Kenya was at the edge of implementing the COP 28 agenda set last year in Egypt.

Through the provision of Universal Healthcare coverage as contained in the Primary Healthcare Act 2023 and the Social Health Assurance (SHA) Act 2023, the government was in the process of safeguarding the citizens’ health and livelihoods in the face of increasing diseases caused by climate change, the PS stated.

Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi who represented the governor at the conference said in recent times Machakos County has been experiencing erratic weather patterns and frequent heat weaves which are further putting vulnerable populations at risk.

Livestock loses

He said heat-related illnesses such as dehydration are becoming more common among the elderly, children, and those with chronic health conditions and weakened immunity.  “Food shortage, due to increased crop failure and massive livestock loses as a result of drought is continuously limiting the diet options for our people posing the risk of malnutrition among children and the elderly,” said Mwangangi.

The County Government of Machakos is fencing off water dams, digging boreholes and refining water for domestic consumption at the drawing points to reduce the risks of waterborne diseases, the DG said.