UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell has warned that extreme heat is becoming a growing concern for pregnant women, newborns and maternal healthcare systems as climate change intensifies.
Speaking in Suva, Fiji, Stiell said rising temperatures were increasingly linked to pregnancy complications, premature birth, stillbirth and low birth weight. A survey cited in his speech found that 73% of maternal health professionals had seen heat-linked cases or complications increase over the past five years.
Stiell called for maternal and newborn healthcare to be integrated into climate adaptation and heat-health planning. He also highlighted the need for resilient health facilities, reliable water and electricity, trained health workers, heat alerts and stronger data to identify communities facing greater risks.
The UN official said protecting pregnancy and newborn health should be treated as a basic human protection issue as countries respond to the effects of climate change.
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