Doctors have appealed to the Lagos State Government to consider practical measures, including free drinking-water kiosks and public water points at designated locations, to ease the impact of heatwaves on vulnerable residents.
Medical Guild Chairman Dr Oluwole Olusanya made the appeal at a news conference on Monday as part of activities marking the Guild’s centenary.
Heatwaves pose a growing threat to public health, particularly in densely populated cities such as Lagos, where high temperatures, humidity, traffic congestion and unreliable electricity can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Olusanya said such interventions, as implemented by proactive governments elsewhere, could help reduce heatwave-related illness and death.
He advised residents to wear light, breathable clothing; drink water regularly; stay in cool, well-ventilated spaces; limit exposure to direct sunlight; eat balanced meals rich in fruits and vegetables; and get adequate sleep.
Although electricity supply remains a challenge, Olusanya advised households to improve cross-ventilation by opening windows where safe and feasible, and to stay hydrated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the ongoing strong El Niño event as a major global public health threat, according to reports.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon involving unusually warm sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. It has often been associated with extreme heat and related health effects. The phenomenon is projected to cause 31,400 deaths in Nigeria over the next six months.
El Niño can also alter rainfall patterns, affecting farming, water supplies and food prices.
The WHO said heat stress could worsen underlying conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health issues and asthma. It could also increase the risk of accidents and the transmission of some infectious diseases.
Beyond heat-related concerns, Olusanya said Lagos State’s preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks remained a critical public health issue following reports of Ebola-related developments in Abuja.
He expressed confidence in the state’s capacity to respond, citing its experience managing previous outbreaks, including COVID-19 and the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
He said Lagos’s role in containing the disease had attracted international recognition, with health professionals from the state later contributing their expertise to response efforts in other affected African countries.
However, Olusanya stressed that past achievements should not lead to complacency.
“Sustained investment in personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, functional facilities, staff training and emergency-response systems remains essential to protect both healthcare workers and the public.
“Continuous surveillance, early detection and effective infection-prevention measures are also necessary to contain any potential spread of infectious diseases,” he said.
He also emphasised that healthcare workers’ welfare was central to an effective health system.
“Beyond salary increases, the Guild is advocating improved working conditions, housing support, mortgage schemes, car loans and other benefits that reflect the demands of medical practice in Lagos.”
Olusanya renewed calls for tax concessions and a Lagos-specific salary adjustment to account for the state’s high cost of living, heavy traffic and rising accommodation costs.
He warned that inadequate remuneration and poor working conditions continued to contribute to doctors’ migration abroad.
Looking ahead, Olusanya identified artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health systems as important tools for improving healthcare delivery.
He said appropriate AI applications could reduce administrative burdens and improve efficiency. A digital bed-space coordination network, he added, could direct emergency patients to facilities with available capacity and reduce treatment delays.
Olusanya reaffirmed the Guild’s commitment to working with the Lagos State Government and residents to build a safer, healthier and more resilient state.
