Media Monitoring

SA presidency of G20 is a platform for linking health and climate issues in Africa: As South Africa prepares for its G20 presidency in 2025, it has the opportunity to drive global policy changes in health systems and climate change resilience. Drawing from Brazil’s and Indonesia’s healthcare models, South Africa should strengthen healthcare delivery and pandemic preparedness. In climate change, advocating for increased climate finance and renewable energy projects is crucial. This is inspired by Indonesia’s green finance leadership and India’s solar advancements. Additionally, promoting equitable vaccine distribution and enhancing global health cooperation will ensure fair health resource distribution and global health equity.

New Africa pharma foundation expected to boost focus on solutions to climate challenges: Following the approval of $12 million in initial funding, the new African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation is going to help solve climate-related challenges. These include: Find alternative sources or synthetic substitutes for -climate-endangered ingredients, develop treatments for the spread of diseases accelerated by extreme weather, and upgrade cold chains to refrigerate drugs in the face of rising temperatures.

New climate interest in African nutrition by global pharmaceutical firms: In the recent aftermath of the Africa Fertiliser-and-Soil-Health summit, national governments report a significant increase in interaction with drug giants from the Global North. Missing pharma and fertiliser solutions are evident from growing malnutrition and weakened immune systems due to climate-related droughts and harvest failures. At least 45 million children are at risk of poor health and malnutrition in eastern and southern Africa due to the climate crisis. More than 3 million livestock died in Somalia in a single year from prolonged drought, exacerbating food insecurity and contributing to malnutrition.  

New Namibian national health strategy takes in climate aspects: Namibia has launched a Tripartite One Health National Strategy 2024–2028 in collaboration with Africa CDC. The strategy emphasises the integration of human, animal, and environmental health to address shared health threats caused by climate change. Minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula highlighted the strategy's importance in tackling frequent zoonotic disease outbreaks and climate change impacts. He noted that 75% of emerging pathogens affecting humans are of zoonotic origin. The strategy aims to establish a sustainable One Health Approach across sectors. It focuses on health system strengthening, disease control, food safety, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental integration to enhance preparedness and response to health emergencies and threats in Namibia.