‘Holistic health approach needed for a healthy planet’

The Covid-19 pandemic has exemplified the intimate correlation of health and the environment, says Prime Minister’s Special Advisor on Public Health, Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood.

She said other critical challenges, including the health impact of climate change, also required people to rethink health systems in the 21st century and embrace the current approaches to planetary health.

Therefore, she said it was time for Malaysia to look into health more holistically, and beyond the health of the patient, to also address the health of the planet.

“Covid-19 has been a big eyeopener for us, in that increased and ongoing environmental degradation has and will continue to increase the incidence of zoonosis that is, increased transmission of diseases from animals to people.

“This requires us to embrace a healthier lifestyle that also protects the planet. For example; in Paris now, there are investments to promote cycling in the city, thus reducing carbon utilisation and improving the air quality of the city,” Dr Jemilah said in her keynote address for ‘ Building Capacity and Partnership for Health Advocacy’ programme here yesterday.

She also said Covid-19 had been seen as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for entrepreneurial approaches to climate change.

“We should seriously look into shifting the use of medical disposals to biodegradable ones, and perhaps in future, there would be biodegradable masks that are badly needed to reduce the environmental impact of single-use masks now.

“This is the time for companies to invest in research and development of biodegradable supplies including gloves that are in widespread use. Innovation among entrepreneurs could result in a positive impact globally,” she said.

Meanwhile, she also stressed that Covid-19 had disrupted global progress towards sustainable development goals (SDGs) and felt that perhaps, it was time to see how a planetary health approach could help reframe the SDGs.

On the seminar, Dr Jemilah said it was important for healthcare professionals to also be advocates as they were among the trusted individuals in any country or context.

“Our voice is important and being advocates will, in many ways, inform policy decisions and dialogues.

“We should never waste such an opportunity to influence positive change for better health outcomes,” she said. — Bernama