Nigerian experts link maternal health to climate change

From the newsletter

Doctors in Nigeria have established a connection between climate change and poor maternal outcomes in the country. They argue that the effects of climate change, such as heatwaves, displacement, food insecurity, air pollution, and natural disasters, hinder proper care for women during pregnancy and after childbirth.

• While considerable attention has been given to climate change's impact on agriculture, infrastructure, and general health, its detrimental effects on maternal health remain largely under-explored, despite their critical importance.

• Climate change poses significant threats to maternal health by exacerbating existing vulnerabilities, including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, and stillbirth.

More details

• During the 10th Future of Health Conference, organised by Nigeria Health Watch, health experts discussed the impact of climate change on health, nutrition, and food security. In his keynote address, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, emphasised the need for localized solutions and multisectoral collaboration to develop climate-resilient health systems. He outlined the various effects of climate change, from disrupting food systems to altering disease patterns due to flooding and drought.

• A side event sponsored by MSD for Mothers focused on the intersection of climate change and maternal health. Themed “Climate Change and Maternal Health: Protecting Mothers in a Changing Climate,” the expert panel featured Professor Christopher O. Aimakhu, Dr. Samuel Oyeniyi, Dr. Chukwunonso Nwaokorie, Chiagozie Abiakam, and Faithfulness Oyinloye. They explored the ramifications of climate change on maternal health and discussed localized strategies to mitigate climate-related risks for mothers and children.

• The panelists highlighted the increased vulnerability of pregnant women to climate-sensitive diseases, drawing attention to global risks. Faithfulness Oyinloye explained that during pregnancy, lowered immunity makes women more susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Flooding, for instance, can cause trauma, stress, and anxiety, leading to complications such as high blood pressure. She also noted that food insecurity, worsened by droughts and floods, leads to malnutrition, which increases the risk of complications like low birth weight, stillbirth, and fetal growth retardation among expectant mothers.

• Oyinloye further emphasised that rising temperatures contribute to heat stress in pregnant women, which can result in preterm births and other adverse outcomes. Research indicates that for every 1°C rise in temperature, preterm birth rates increase by 5%. The panel also discussed how frequent floods, droughts, and storms damage maternal care infrastructure, disrupting access to antenatal and prenatal services. In Nigeria, where access is already limited, such disruptions heighten the risks associated with unsafe pregnancies and deliveries.

• Nigeria currently faces a maternal mortality ratio of 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world. Climate change exacerbates these risks, with 130 million people, including pregnant women, affected by food insecurity. This situation leads to malnutrition, which causes complications such as low birth weight and stillbirth. At least 12 million children under five are stunted, half of whom experience this during pregnancy or early infancy, primarily due to maternal malnutrition. Two million children suffer from acute malnutrition. Rising temperatures further contribute to preterm births and other maternal health risks.

• The experts explained that mitigating the challenges posed by climate change in Nigeria requires raising awareness about its health risks, particularly for pregnant women. Strengthening partnerships to advocate for policy implementation and investing in climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure, such as solar power and cooling systems, are crucial steps. Additionally, training healthcare workers to manage climate-related health risks and improving access to maternal healthcare through mobile clinics and resilient technologies, like drones and heat-stable medicines, is essential. These combined efforts will help safeguard vulnerable populations, especially mothers and newborns, in a changing climate.

Our take

• To address climate-related maternal mortality, private sector involvement in renewable energy is crucial for powering healthcare facilities especially in regions vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Solar power systems can provide a reliable energy supply for maternal health services and reduce dependence on unreliable power grids, minimising disruptions during extreme weather events such as floods or heatwaves.

• Healthcare technology companies that offer telemedicine platforms can significantly enhance access to maternal care during climate-related crises. By facilitating remote consultations, these platforms enable expectant mothers to receive timely medical advice without the need for physical travel, which is often hindered by extreme weather conditions like flooding or drought.

• Logistics and delivery services that utilise innovative methods such as drones are essential for maintaining healthcare supply chains during climate disruptions. These technologies can ensure the swift transportation of crucial maternal care supplies, including medicines and vaccines, to remote or climate-affected areas, thereby improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.