Mr AbdulHamid Yahaya, Deputy Director, Global Health Informatics, has highlighted the vital role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in predicting and managing climate-related health risks.
Yahaya gave the highlight in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
This is as climate change increasingly threatens global health.
He stressed the importance of technology-driven solutions, adding that AI could analyse diverse data sources such as weather patterns and sanitation levels, to anticipate disease outbreaks.
He said that this capability enabled health systems to respond more swiftly and effectively to emerging threats.
The expert said that this technology-enabled forecasting would allow authorities to act quickly in response to outbreaks, enhancing preparedness and helping to protect communities from the health impacts of climate change.
He underscored his organisation’s commitment to data-driven strategies that address vulnerabilities posed by climate change to health.
“By leveraging AI and machine learning models, we can predict outbreaks of climate-sensitive diseases like malaria and cholera through multi-sectoral data analysis, incorporating factors such as sanitation and weather.
“As the climate crisis intensifies, health systems need to integrate technological solutions to anticipate and adapt to this evolving landscape of health threats.
“Through strategic initiatives, eHealth Africa is advancing Nigeria’s public health goals while setting a precedent for global health security amid climate challenges,” he said.
He further explained that data-driven strategies and technologies, such as AI, were crucial in strengthening resilience across health systems.
“With an unprecedented wave of climate change, building adaptive and proactive health systems is no longer optional, it is essential,” he said.
He said that as global climate reshaped public health priorities, Nigeria’s proactive approach in aligning health security with climate resilience could serve as a model for other nations.
Yahaya said that through collaboration and innovation, Nigeria was paving the way for a new era of health resilience that safeguards both current and future generations.
He called for urgent efforts to establish climate-resilient health systems, given the increasing strain that climate impacts place on global public health.
