The doctors, under the aegis of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria [SOFPN], Oyo State chapter,  therefore, called on governments at all levels and all Nigerians to utilise more of clean energy to save lives and create a healthy environment.
The Oyo State Chairman of SOFPON, Dr. Okedare Amos-Olufemi made the call while speaking on the duties of family doctors as regards championing  health, in celebration of World Family Doctors’ Day 2024. The World Family Doctor Day had the theme ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’,
Amos-Olufemi explained that the intricate connection between the health of the planet and the wellbeing of its people could not be overemphasized, saying that there is an urgent need for a change of attitude by everyone.
He  disclosed  that the healthcare sector remains a major polluter, accounting for 4.4 percent of global carbon emissions.
He said: ‘’ Some of the footprints of environment pollution and degradation and dumping of refuse has not ceased  and its effects on the health of our people still continue. That is why we are advocating that in all our environment, offices and homes, we should all be conscious of the environment and ensure that we create healthy environment so that  our people can live a healthy life
‘’Nigeria ranks 25th largest carbon emission country in the world. We need to utilise more of clean energy and make it affordable to the populace. Avoid the use of fossil fuels and combustion engines. Let us use more solar and wind energy’’.
Also speaking,  the Public Relations Officer , SOFPON, Oyo State, Dr. Folajimi Senjobi, and the Public Relations Officer,  the Associations of Nigerian Private Medicare Practitioners (ANPMP), Dr. Foluke Olaniyi-George, urged  residents to avoid non-biodegradable pollution of the environment, and deforestation, but encouraged reforestation in areas where needed and recycling of non-biodegradable waste like plastic bottles and sachet nylon.
The association would carry out a medical outreach to Ajibode community holding at PHC Ajibode as a part of the week-long event which is billed to climax with planting of trees for a greener future.
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