Environmental Health: Stakeholders Decry Unsafe Human Practices

"H ealth is wealth so too is our environment’s health, a necessary tool for sustainable develop­ ment." This message was echoed by the Minister of Envi­ ronment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development, Hele Pierre during the maiden edition of the World Environmental Health day’s observation yes­ terday October 19, 2026 in Ca­ meroon since its implementation in 2011. Convened under the theme "Environmental Health; Partnering with Science to Pro­ tect Communities," the session united varied actors and stake­ holders in the health and envi­ ronmental industries in Came­ roon including the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, that of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, as well as that of Lives­ tock, Fisheries, and Animal In­ dustries. Edifying the public on the rele­ vance of environmental health to sustainable development, Mi­ nister Hele Pierre revealed that the annual celebration, is meant to raise awareness among poli­ cymakers and the public at large about the role of environmental management in preventing di­ sease and improving human well-being. "This encompasses the quality of air, water, and soil, as well as food manage­ ment. By addressing environ­ mental factors, we can help pre­ vent illnesses and protect the population with interventions such as addressing pollution- related health issues that help safeguard people’s well-being," the Minister explained. Coming at a time when Came­ roon is uniting forces with in­ ternational actors to combat en­ vironmental crisis such as cli­ mate change, air and land pol­ lution, ozone layer depletion amongst others, the Minister echoed the need for the prompt adoption and implementation of the "One Health" approach; the cornerstone of health pre­ vention strategy that leverages animal health, environment, and human health expertise to build a formidable healthy ecosystem for all concern...