WHO workshop in explores health impacts of climate change

CLIMATE CHANGE, the water shortage and the new flu are on the agenda of an international workshop organised in Limassol, entitled Developing Capabilities to Face the Impacts of Climate Change on Health.

The workshop is currently taking place at the Mediterranean hotel in Limassol and is organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.

“This workshop has two aims. First, research, scientific study and data collection by scientists and experts, which will help in the compilation of a national action plan, and second raise the awareness of citizens, health stakeholders and agencies,” Health Minister Christos Patsalides said yesterday.

Deputy Director of the European Bureau of the WHO, Nata Menabde stressed that Cyprus’ water shortage is one of the effects of climate change.

“The water stress is not just a problem of the present, but will increase in the future. Cyprus, located at the heart of the Mediterranean part of the EU will not be spared of these effects. We expect that in the coming years, up to 2080, there will be 16 to 44 million additional people who will be affected by the water stress and the access to drinking water. And this is already a big problem in the EU,” said Menabde.

Menabde also clarified that the H1N1 flu pandemic has not been linked to climate change. “We are not linking these two issues, but they are taking place in parallel: pandemic and climate change processes. While these two are not directly connected, there are other diseases which are a result of climate change.

“For example, each time you have a temperature increase of one degree, you will get a five per cent increase of salmonella infection,” she explained.

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