Local drug companies are well-positioned to address local needs, but their limited resources and existing infrastructure vulnerabilities have hindered their adaptation efforts. Some are now focusing on developing heat-resistant drug formulations relevant to their regions and exploring locally sourced, climate-resilient alternatives for traditional drug ingredients. Regional and national champions in Africa will require substantial investment for adaptive strategies to overcome climate-related obstacles and attain long-term resilience. Kenyan Universal Corporation Ltd (UCL) became the first African manufacturer to gain WHO prequalification for sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) to prevent malaria. In October 2023, UCL received prequalification from the WHO for seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). These pre-qualifications will improve access to effective malaria-prevention medication, especially after a 2020 British study identified the potential spread of the Anopheles stephensi mosquito in Africa, which could expose an additional 126 million people to malaria. Read more

Climate change is creating a state of near-permanent crisis in Africa, according to GAVI, the vaccine alliance. Extreme weather has severely affected health through extreme weather events like floods and heat waves. Disasters lead to increased disease transmission, mental health issues and food insecurity. Health systems face overwhelming demand and diminished capacity. Floods in South Sudan washed away health facilities, roads became impassable, limiting access to healthcare. In Malawi, Cyclone Freddy led to more unprotected sex and STIs. In Uganda, elderly people were stranded in floods. In Cameroon, torrential rains caused cholera outbreaks and rise in malnutrition due to destroyed crops. Robust, resilient public health programs and primary health care systems are urgently needed to mitigate these impacts and protect vulnerable communities.

… is the number of new HIV cases that sub-Saharan Africa could experience by 2050 due to increasing carbon emissions, according to Frontline AIDS, unless urgent action is taken.

Innovators are focusing on integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to position them as disruptive forces in a medical industry struggling to adjust to climate change. These startups concentrate on streamlining drug discovery processes, optimising supply chain logistics for climate resilience, and developing innovative drug delivery systems for heat-sensitive medications. Their contributions can enhance the industry's efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and ensure medications reach those in need, even in a changing climate.

An analysis by Green Rising, our sister publication, has scored the various climate disasters for their impact on human health. This is based on publicly available data for the year 2022. The analysis shows that flooding is not only the most common disaster but also the one with the widest health impact, see chart. Mental health is the only impact that’s common to all forms of climate-related events. At least 15,700 Africans died last year in extreme weather disasters and a further 34 million were directly affected. Climate change is expected to cost African healthcare an extra $2 trillion by 2050. Of the 60 countries identified by the World Bank as most vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, 38 are in sub-Saharan Africa.

The makers of blockbuster drugs are under growing pressure to change their operations. Activist calls are growing for them to adopt more sustainable practices to lessen their environmental impact and find reliable ingredient sources, as traditional supplies are threatened by extreme weather and ecological disruptions. This requires R&D investments, especially in underserved regions such as Africa. To be socially impactful, the industry is being urged to prioritise global health equity over profit. This will push pharmaceutical companies to develop more treatments for neglected diseases, especially those familiar in developing countries, and ensure that essential medications are affordable and accessible. This also means implementing transparent pricing models, say activists, and launching initiatives to improve access to critical medicines in regions with limited resources. Read more

Climate change is intensifying health crises and food shortages among African refugees. In 2022, climate shocks displaced over 7.4 million people, leading to severe malnutrition and limited access to healthcare, a new report found. Consecutive droughts and extreme weather events devastate crops and infrastructure, worsening food insecurity. Displaced communities face challenges in accessing clean water, adequate nutrition, and healthcare, heightening their vulnerability to diseases. Effective climate adaptation strategies and international support are crucial to address these refugee issues and support the health and well-being of Africa's most vulnerable populations.

Every day, we scrutinise African and global media for news regarding the nexus of climate and health in Africa. Below are snippets. To read more, please click here.

A medic examining dengue in a lab in Central African Republic, one of the African countries with the lowest level of climate action so far