A recent report by UNICEF has shed light on the growing health risks faced by children in West and Central Africa as a result of increasing exposure to extreme heat. The report highlights a concerning trend, with the frequency of heatwaves in the region having more than quadrupled since the 1960s.
Earlier this year, West Africa experienced an unprecedented heatwave that resulted in a significant rise in fatalities. In Mali, one hospital reported 102 deaths in just the first four days of April, compared to 130 deaths for the entire month of April last year. While the exact number of deaths attributed to the extreme weather remains unknown due to restrictions imposed by the country's military rulers, the impact on public health is evident.
