Climate change is exerting significant and increasing health impacts globally, with projections indicating these effects will worsen as the planet continues to warm.
Doctors are sounding the alarm about a range of health issues linked to climate change, including heat stroke and the expanding reach of tropical diseases. Extreme weather events also pose a threat, leading to power outages in hospitals and affecting mental well-being.
In a program first broadcast in 2025, Graihagh Jackson spoke with two physicians from Malaysia and Egypt about the difficulties faced by the medical sector. They also discussed potential solutions and the critical need for healthcare systems to address their own contribution to emissions.
Dr. Jemilah Mahmoud, Executive Director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health in Malaysia, and Dr. Omnia El Omrani, Vice-Chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, shared their insights on the challenges and potential remedies.
The discussion also touched upon the broader implications of climate change for public health infrastructure and the responsibilities of healthcare providers in mitigating their environmental footprint. The program is available for over a year on BBC Sounds.