Urgent Action Needed for Planetary Health Crisis, Says KSPHCDA

Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), warned that Nigeria and the global community must confront a deepening planetary public health crisis requiring urgent equity-driven interventions. Speaking at the 4th Ibadan International Public Health Conference organized by the Faculty of Public Health at the University of Ibadan, she delivered a keynote address titled "Planetary Public Health Management: Global Crisis and Ensuring Equity." Elelu highlighted the combined effects of climate change, environmental degradation, and emerging diseases on fragile health systems, which exacerbate disease outbreaks and widen health inequities, particularly among vulnerable populations.

She noted that climate change could expand malaria transmission into previously unaffected regions by 2070. Elelu called for comprehensive reforms, including strengthening primary healthcare services and adopting integrated health surveillance systems.

She also urged countries to implement a zero-tolerance approach to counter antibiotic sales and invest in real-time surveillance systems. The conference featured remarks from other health officials, including Prof. Kayode Adebowale and Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who stressed the importance of coordinated responses to health threats.