The Minister of Public Health, Víctor Atallah, reported that this institution, together with the Ministry of the Environment, seeks to establish a national air quality monitoring system, to detect and preventively address the levels of pollution in the main cities of the country.
The official expressed himself in these terms within the framework of the First International Congress on Climate ChangeAir Quality and Health. During his speech, Atallah maintained that improving air quality is one of the key pillars of the One Health National Strategy“a framework that recognizes the interdependence between human, animal and environmental health.”
He added that the Dominican Republic has adopted a comprehensive approach to health with environmental policies, supported, among other actions, in the implementation of the Strategy.
“This approach not only seeks to reduce the risks derived from the pollution and climate change, but also promotes sustainable development, which allows our communities to prosper in a resilient way,” the minister added, according to a statement.
During his participation in the event, the Minister of the Environment, Armando Paíno Henríquez, said that they are committed to the implementation of policies that promote improvements in air quality and public health, aligned with their climate goals.
“It is crucial to reduce the pollution through the improvement of public transport, the promotion of clean energy and the regulation of industrial emissions. But beyond policies, we must change the mentality: the fight against climate change is not only an environmental issue, it is also a health issue,” he expressed.
He pointed out that this congress is a unique opportunity to reflect, share knowledge and, above all, to generate solutions. “The results of the discussions taking place here must guide our actions in the coming years, because time is not on our side,” the minister added.
The repercussions of climate change on health
The representative of the Pan American Health Office (PAHO)/World Tourism Organization (WHO) in the Dominican Republic, Alba María Ropero, pointed out that the repercussions of climate change on health are serious, which is manifested in an increase in diseases. transmitted by vectors, diarrheal diseases, respiratory diseases, malnutrition, chronic diseases, premature mortality and their inevitable impact on mental health in communities.
He indicated that climate change is the greatest health threat of the 21st century, since this natural phenomenon is expected to cause some 250,000 additional deaths between 2030 and 2050.
For her part, Dr. Rachel Albalak, country director of the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), expressed the organization’s willingness to continue collaborating with the Dominican Republic on the issues of diseases and climate change.
Max Puig, vice president of the National Council for Climate Change, said that this event marks an important milestone for the Dominican Republic, because it involves two direct challenges, such as climate change and diseases, and stressed that the country develops actions to reduce gas emissions. of greenhouse effects and short-lived pollutants, but that adaptation to the effects of climate change is the national priority.
About Congress
Under the motto “Clean air, healthy communities, well-being for all”, this event, which will take place until this Friday, aims to develop joint solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change in the region and promote immediate actions.
At this event, the Ministries of Health and the Environment signed an agreement to work together on issues related to the environment, climate change and health.
