UAE | Environment

Climate change 'will have huge impact on world health'

Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, inaugurated World Health Day celebrations here on Thursday.

  • Staff Report
  • Published: 01:00 April 11, 2008
  • Gulf News

Ras Al Khaimah: Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, inaugurated World Health Day celebrations here on Thursday. The theme of the day was how to protect health during climate change. It was organised by the Ministry of Health and the Ras Al Khaimah Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA).

Experts in the field of health and environment said there was increasing scientific evidence that climate change was already impacting human health.

This has wide-ranging consequences, such as increased health risks due to extreme weather conditions, the possible adverse impact of disruptions in global food production and changing patterns of vector-borne diseases.

Speaking at the function, Dr Ali Bin Shakr, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Health, said the theme selected by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for this year's World Health Day provided a timely platform to discuss the threats posed by climate change.

Heat strokes

"The impact of climate change on the health sector has assumed critical importance due to its global impact. The direct impact of climate change is visible in the spread of diseases, while it indirectly affects health security," he said.

He added severe heat strokes have been found to be one of the reasons for increased mortality in people with cardiac and hypertension problems.

Infections

"There are also concerns that certain viral and bacterial infections could spread to non-typical geographical locations due to climate change, as in the case of malaria," he added.

He said the UAE has made substantial efforts in protecting and safeguarding the environment over the years, in programmes initiated by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and now followed by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

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