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Angola: Reduction of Environment Impact On Health Needs Strong Sanitary Network
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Angola Press Agency (Luanda)
8 April 2008
Posted to the web 8 April 2008
Sumbe
The reduction of the impact of environmental degradation on health requires the reinforcement of the sanitary network, implementation of preventive measures and active participation of citizens in preservation programmes.
This was said Monday in Sumbe, central kwanza Sul province, by the deputy Health minister, José Van-Dúnem.
Speaking on the occasion of the World Health Day, April 7, José Van-Dúnem, said the motto chosen "Protecting health against climatic changes" constitutes one of the main goals of Governments in their quest for improved living of citizens.
He said as well this is an opportunity for a reflection on the problem and search for effective measures to improve the environment hygiene, access to potable water, to first aid and prevention of epidemics associated with the degradation of the environment.
According to the official, as a result of the long period of conflict, many citizens were forced to settle on the outskirts of the big cities in precarious conditions of sanitation, which makes them more vulnerable to climatic alterations, to such diseases as cholera, malaria, acute respiratory infections and others.
José Van-Dúnem mentioned as consequences of non-preservation of the environment the creation of vectors that lead to the upsurge of such diseases earlier on under control (cholera and meningitis) and the increment of cases of water-related sicknesses, due to heavy rains that also have a negative impact on the food production capacity.
For this reason, he said, the magnitude of the problem requires a multi-sectoral approach that promote synergies and enable rapid results and a broad programme of awareness of the population.
"At the moment a great effort for the reconstruction of the country is in progress, we have to seize the opportunity to avoid the rivers from being further polluted, the industries to be installed from being polluting, thus creating a regulating framework aimed at protecting our future," he stated.
The official also mentioned the need for measures of reforestation, reduction of gas emissions, especially on the part of oil companies, revitalisation of primary health care units, improvement to surveillance systems to permit the control and timely intervention on climatic alterations and their impact on health.
On the other hand, the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative to Angola, Diosdado Nsue-Milag, said climate changes constitute currently one of the most serious challenges states have to face, as they represent a threat to the essential elements of human life (food, water and air), including the stability of the countries.
This situation, he added, is causing the extinction of several animal and vegetal species, putting at risk the food security and the nutritional condition of people.
In approaching this issue, WHO seeks to sensitise the public opinion at all levels on the damaging effects of these changes that seriously affect Africa.
WHO is drafting a global strategic plan to assist the member states to come up with effective response to the problems.
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The World Health Day was declared on April 7, 1948, by the World Health Organisation (WHO), based on the citizen's right to health and State's obligation to promote health.
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