MARAWI CITY (PIA) – The Provincial Health Officer (PHO) of Lanao del Sur issued a call to action on climate change, highlighting its significant impact on public health.
Dr. Princess Elham A. Sacar emphasized the urgency of collective action to mitigate climate risks and strengthen healthcare systems’ resilience against environmental threats.
She stressed the particular vulnerability of populations like the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic illnesses to the effects of climate change.
“Climate change may increase the risk and the cases of infectious diseases as well as its spread to new geographical areas, thereby causing the emergence and re-emergence of these infectious diseases,” Sacar said during the Lanao del Sur Disaster Resilience Summit on July 22.
The health officer said climate variability increases the risk of infectious diseases, with flooding and contaminated water sources contributing to the spread of waterborne illnesses like cholera and typhoid. Changing climate conditions also expand tick habitats, raising concerns about the emergence of tick-borne diseases in previously unaffected areas.
Sacar added that extreme weather events damage agricultural production and contaminate water sources, leading to malnutrition and increased waterborne illnesses.
Beyond physical health concerns, Sacar underscored the impact of climate change on mental well-being. She said that more frequent and severe weather events can cause anxiety, depression, and stress, while long-term environmental degradation and loss of livelihoods contribute to feelings of grief and hopelessness.
“The loss of homes, livelihoods, and loved ones due to climate change can cause intense grief and mourning, which can have long-lasting impacts on our mental health. Also, climate-induced displacement and disruption of social and community support systems can exacerbate mental health issues and lead to feelings of isolation and loss of identity,” she explained.
Sacar further highlighted the strain placed on healthcare systems by climate change. According to her, extreme weather events disrupt healthcare facility operations through power outages, health infrastructure damage, and a surge in demand for services related to climate-sensitive illnesses.
“For us to be disaster resilient, we need to be health resilient,” she concluded. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
