In the African Region, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are set to overtake communicable diseases, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional conditions combined, to become the leading cause of death by 2030.  COVID-19, along with spiralling obesity, diabetes and hypertension rates, compounds the challenge, highlighting the urgency of a multi-sectoral response.
During the past two decades, most public health events have been climate-related, whether they were vector- or water-borne, transmitted from animals to humans, or the result of natural disasters. For example, diarrhoeal diseases are the third leading cause of disease and death in children younger than five in Africa, a significant proportion of which is preventable through safe drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene. 
The Assistant Minister of Health Sethome Lelatisitswe expressed his concerns that the current global environmental crisis accelerates the already high rate of NCDs in Botswana. 
In his address in Rakops village to commemorate the 2022 World Health Day under the theme ‘Our planet, our health’ Honorable Lelatisitswe further stated that “the climate change primarily affects the vulnerable populations and individuals with existing health conditions. It also impacts access to healthcare delivery services and disrupts primary healthcare infrastructure. “
Also present at the commemoration, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Health Grace Muzila affirmed “We cannot afford to lose sight of the fact that the climate crisis, the biggest threat facing humanity today, is also a health crisis”.
Climate change is manifesting in increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, changing rainfall patterns, and more frequent and severe extreme weather conditions. WHO estimates that more than 13 million annual deaths globally are due to avoidable environmental causes. Climate change negatively impacts air and water quality, food security, and human habitat and shelter. 
While noting that urgent action needs to be taken to safeguard the planet, WHO Country Representative Dr Josephine Namboze reminded us that WHO supports the Member States to conduct vulnerability, situation and needs assessments, and create Health National Adaptation Plans (H-NAPs), under the auspices of the Libreville Declaration. WHO also assists countries to submit their national plans comprising essential public health interventions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 
These reports focus on issues including climate-resilient water and sanitation, assessing the capacity of health facilities to cope with climate-change-induced drought, and strengthening health systems' resilience. “We supported co-capacity assessments and development of H-NAPs in Botswana and will continue to support these efforts, particularly in this context of ever-increasing health security challenges”, added Dr Namboze.
Governments, civil society, non-government organizations and communities need to work together, empowering one another to ensure the continued delivery of essential health services during future extreme events, while containing the growing incidence of environment, climate, and lifestyle-related diseases. 
WHO will continue to work with the sister agencies to synergize and consolidate efforts to support Botswana’s efforts and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.