The Department of Health (DOH) cautioned that climate change is intensifying public health risks, making Filipinos more vulnerable to diseases like dengue and leptospirosis.
“Climate change is heating our temperature. And because the temperature is getting hotter, the so-called vectors are multiplying — the mosquitoes that bring different kinds of diseases,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a video message on Saturday.
He explained that stronger storms and heavier rainfall are causing more floods, which in turn raise the risk of leptospirosis. “Also, because of the heat of the weather, storms are multiplying and the rainfall is getting stronger during the rainy season. Floods are increasing, and when the flood multiplies, so does leptospirosis,” Herbosa added.
Herbosa also highlighted that hospitals contribute significantly to carbon emissions due to their high energy use. “Our energy consumption is high — CT scans, MRIs and other devices are open 24/7. Because of this, the CO2 emission contribution of our hospitals is high,” he said.
In response, DOH hospitals are adopting renewable energy sources like solar and wind to reduce emissions and lower electricity costs. “The effects of climate change are already here, and they are affecting our health in many ways. We must act together to protect every Filipino,” Herbosa stressed.