The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched a strategic framework aimed at addressing the growing health impacts of climate change across the continent.
During the official launch via a webinar on Wednesday, Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, described climate change as one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time.
“Climate change is already wreaking havoc across Africa,” Kaseya said. “It’s driving extreme weather events, altering disease patterns, worsening food insecurity, and increasing the spread of waterborne illnesses.”
Citing a review of over 2,000 public health events in Africa between 2001 and 2021, Kaseya revealed that 56 percent were linked to climate-related factors.
“By 2050, climate change is projected to cause an additional 14.5 million deaths globally, with over two billion healthy life years lost and economic losses reaching 12.5 trillion dollars,” he added.
The newly launched framework offers a comprehensive roadmap for addressing the intersection of climate and health through coordinated, evidence-based action. It aims to build climate-resilient health systems and communities across all African Union Member States by strengthening institutional capacity and fostering cross-sector collaboration.
“This framework represents a pivotal step in the Africa CDC’s mission to protect public health,” Kaseya said. “It highlights the critical need for robust institutional arrangements at the continental, regional, and national levels.”
With the right strategies, partnerships, and investments, he said, Africa can build a future where health systems are resilient, communities are empowered, and the health impacts of climate change are effectively managed.
The framework is built around seven guiding principles namely, the One Health Approach, partnerships and collaborations, sustained investment, avanced technology and infrastructure as well as community engagement.
Others include accountability and transparency as well as equity and inclusion.
By anchoring these principles, the framework empowers policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to anticipate, adapt to, and mitigate the health consequences of climate change.
It also calls for strong political will, innovative financing, and the use of advanced technologies to monitor climate-health linkages and respond swiftly to emerging threats.
Kaseya urged African governments, international partners, and stakeholders to align efforts and harness collective strengths to confront climate-induced health challenges.
“The journey towards climate resilience is complex and demanding,” he noted. “But with a shared vision, we can make meaningful strides to protect the health of our people. This framework is not just a document—it’s a continental imperative and a call to action.”
The launch comes at a critical time, as the continent faces intensifying health threats from global warming. The framework complements Africa CDC’s broader One Health Strategy and its 2023–2027 Strategic Plan to strengthen public health systems across Africa.
Reacting to the launch, Dr. Gabriel Adakole, a public health expert, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the framework provides Nigeria with a clear roadmap to develop climate-resilient health systems, prepare for climate-related disease outbreaks, and improve early warning and surveillance mechanisms.
He emphasized that the framework encourages inter-sectoral policy integration, expands access to technical support and funding, and promotes community engagement and equity—especially for vulnerable populations.
“By aligning with this framework, Nigeria can significantly enhance its disaster preparedness, reduce climate-induced health risks, and deliver more coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable public health responses,” Adakole said.
