KEY POINTS:
SAMOA - A recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that climate change directly or indirectly contributes to about 77 000 deaths annually in Asia and the Pacific.
A figure for the Pacific itself could not be obtained however WHO representative to Samoa, Dr Kevin Palmer told Newsline the figures are a cause for concern.
"The total number of deaths in the region is significant and the impacts are pretty specific," Dr Palmer said.
Major changes related to climate change such as the gradual disappearance of atolls, do make a contribution to health problems, he said.
"The mosquito population is on the increase and with that the prevalence of malaria."
Dr Shigeru Omi, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, warned recently: "We have now reached a critical stage in which global warming has already seriously impacted lives and health, and this problem will pose an even greater threat to mankind in coming decades if we fail to act now."
Among the potential effects of global warming would be the appearance of mosquitos where they were previously absent, with the accompanying threat of malaria and dengue fever according to WHO.
Some regions might be at risk of reduced rainfall, causing a shortage of fresh water and introducing the danger of waterborne diseases.
WHO says millions of people could be at risk of malnutrition and hunger if arable lands become unworkable.
Locally, Principal Climate Change Officer for Samoa, Anne Rasmussen said Samoa is very much aware of the link between the weather phenomenon and health.
"Currently we are implementing an Adaptation Plan to prevent health problems as a result of climate change," SHE said.
According to Ms Rasmussen , the lack of proper figures and records of health problems relating to climate change will make the implementation of the adaptation plan, challenging.
"We are now focusing on building partnership with the Ministry of Health, to link health problems such a dengue fever and malaria to climate change, we are trying to establish the relationship between changing weather patterns and diseases," she said.
Ms Rasmussen added that once such records are compiled, the Ministry will then be able to forecast health issues relating to heavy rainfalls such as water borne diseases, and others relating to other extreme weather patterns.
Ms Rasmussen says the Climate Change division in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders will be working on the health section of the Adaptation Plan for the next four years.
- NEWSLINE
