…Says “Nurses Across The Borders International Has Drawn Attention To The Health Implications of Climate Change Disasters”.
By Igbotako Nowinta
Pastor Peters Osawaru Omoragbon, the Executive President, Nurses Across The Borders International, has been honoured for his “Outstanding commitment to advancing Climate Action through public health initiatives, and for his frontline roles and contributions in raising awareness and mobilizing the people’s of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, especially Delta State, in the fight against Climate Change”.
The historic event took place on Friday 15th November, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, at the sidelines of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP29, while the award was presented by Hon. Rex Anighoro, the Senior Special Assistant, to the Delta State Governor, on Civic Engagement.
Delivering his key note address titled “MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE DISASTERS INTO HEALTHCARE DELIVERY, at the event, the award winner, Pastor Peters Omoragbon, Executive President, Nurses Across The Borders International, said the hydra-headed monster known as climate change is borderless and no respecter of whether a country is developed or underdeveloped, whether its targets are black or white or brown.
According to Pastor Omoragbon, who is also the First Nigerian to be the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Designated Contact Person from Nigeria: “The year 2024, witnessed one of the world’s worst flood disasters of our time. From the Americas to Central Europe and the Sahel. Even though some people including elected Presidents and public officials are in a state of denial about the reality of the increasing impact of the changing climate, but those of us who are discerning are wise enough to meet every year to review and take stocks on the successes or failures of all our activities”
The climate change activist revealed that “Climate Change disasters are like the Black Death-the bubonic plague pandemic that occurred in Europe from 1346-1353. It was one of the most fatal pandemics in human history; as many as 50 million people perished, perhaps 50% of Europe’s 14th century population! Climate Change disasters are worse than any pandemic to confront mankind. Such is the reality of the climate change disasters humanity is faced with today”
Pastor Peters Omoragbon emphasized thus”
The goal is to strengthen the limited capacity of the health sector for disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
Disasters are first and foremost, considered in terms of their human consequences. People’s health is a key imperative for reducing disaster risks and building community resilience. The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 recognises health in the Expected Outcome: which was to be a: Substantial reduction of disasters losses, in lives and the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and countries”.
The awardee declared “Effective implementation of risk management measure by all sectors will achieve improved health outcomes, in terms of saving lives reducing injury, illness and disability, and improving quality of life for people at risk.
Health indicators measure the impacts of disasters and the effectiveness of Disaster Risk Management by all sectors. The impact of emergencies and disasters on individuals, families, communities and countries, and the progress made on Disaster Risk management, is often measured, at first, in terms of health: lives lost or saved, the number of people with injuries, illness from diseases, disability and psychosocial effects, and the total numbers of people affected in general”.
The global icon of Climate Action posited
“Health is vital to the measurement of well-being, resilience and development.
Health facilities, especially hospitals, are critical assets for communities, including in response to emergencies, disasters and other crises. Yet hospitals and health workers are often among the major casualties of emergencies, meaning that health services cannot be provided to affected communities when they are most needed. The vast investment in health infrastructure can be lost when poorly constructed hospitals can absorb up to 70% of ministry budgets, critical to public health and are an important symbol of social well-being. Destruction of or damage to a hospital may result in a loss of connectivity and trust in local authorities as well as exposing patients and health workers to further vulnerabilities. Acts of violence, including direct attacks, have increased the threats to the security of hospitals, workers, patients and health services”.
The prominent climate change activist advised “Communities and countries need to take measures to ensure the safety, security and functionality of their health infrastructure. They should prioritise the protection of new and existing hospitals and other health facilities from identified hazards and ensure the physical integrity of buildings, equipment and critical hospital systems. In addition, they should provide for the security and well-being of health workers and patients, and ensure that hospitals are capable of continuing to function and provide life saving services in the immediate response to emergencies and in their aftermath. A SAFE HOSPITAL PROGRAM is an essential component of emergency and disaster risk management for health”.
The Nurses Across The Borders International is the first Non – Governmental Organization (NGO) to be granted Observer Status by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).The UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change) is the United Nations entity tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change.
