FLOOD IN NIGERIA IN 2024; ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH FACILITIES AND EXACERBATIONS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Flooding has emerged as a significant natural calamity, impacting more than 2.8 billion individuals during the past thirty years and harming numerous homes in various manners (Pele, 2021). According to Chis et al. (2019), flooding accounts for 50% of the economic damages caused by natural disasters.  It has an impact on humans, animals, plants, and several industries including education, housing, agriculture, health, power, tourism, and transportation.  In the year 2016, a total of 74 million individuals were impacted by floods, leading to 4,720 fatalities and substantial economic damage on a global scale (Oba et al., 2019). Nigeria saw enormous floods, leading to catastrophic consequences. One of the most destructive consequences is the complete immersion of residential buildings, medical facilities, educational institutions, agricultural areas, animals, places of worship, and other economically significant infrastructure.  Flooding is typically the result of intense precipitation on level land, reservoir malfunction, volcanic eruptions, the thawing of snow and glaciers, and various other circumstances (Chis et al., 2019).

Flooding, along with other natural disasters such as floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, tropical cyclones, and tornadoes, has been associated with various infectious disease outbreaks. These outbreaks include diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections, malaria, leptospirosis, measles, dengue fever, viral hepatitis, typhoid fever, meningitis, as well as tetanus and cutaneous mucormycosis (Adenuga et al., 2022). During instances of floods, individuals who have been relocated are accommodated in public facilities, which puts them at risk of disease outbreaks due to the overcrowded conditions and insufficient access to appropriate water, food, and hygiene measures (Lukman et al., 2020).  Floodwater acts as a habitat and mode of conveyance for pathogens and vectors, leading to the dissemination of contagious diseases such as cholera, malaria, Lassa fever, typhoid, and paratyphoid fever (Pele et al., 2022).  Moreover, environmental submersion causes significant damage to numerous residential properties, bridges, roadways, and healthcare infrastructure.  This hinders the ability to provide prompt medical assistance in emergency situations (Adeniran et al., 2022).

Annually, floods are the prevailing natural calamity, leading to the loss of both human lives and property valued at billions of Naira (Nnamdi et al., 2019).  Nigeria faces frequent and severe floods that challenge the government's efforts every year. One notable example is the 1963 Ibadan flood from the Ogunpa River, which recurred in 1978, 1980, and 2011. In July 2012, Nigeria saw one of the most severe floods on record, which affected over 30 states and impacted more than 7 million people. This flood was caused by the overflow of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.  Nigeria saw its most severe floods in over a decade from June to October 2022, resulting in the loss of over 600 lives and the injury of 1,500 individuals across all 32 states of the country, including Abuja. Consequently, a total of 790,000 individuals were compelled to evacuate their residences, resulting in 1,400,000 people being impacted nationwide (Owoniyi, 2023).

Similar to other natural calamities, flooding has severe and wide-ranging impacts on health, society, the environment, and culture. It has a crucial function in the spread of contagious diseases, impacting healthcare services both directly and indirectly.  In Nigeria, the absence of clean drinking water and proper sanitation is a major factor in the spread of diseases, especially those transmitted through water, such as cholera and diarrhoea. These diseases can range from mild to severe and often lead to high mortality rates, particularly among children under the age of five (Bode & Nsikan, 2023).  Flood waters may include over 100 pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites (Akpabio, 2019).  Floodwater creates optimal circumstances for the proliferation of disease-causing microorganisms and the organisms that transmit them. This leads to the dissemination and occurrence of infectious diseases when individuals affected by floods come into touch with these disease vectors and polluted water through drinking or food handling (Nonso et al., 2019).

Flooding has various consequences, such as the devastation of farmland and the subsequent decline in food production. This results in increased food prices, which in turn affects people's eating habits and leads to a range of nutritional deficiencies, particularly in children who are more susceptible to infectious diseases due to malnutrition (Farhan et al., 2019).  The occurrence of fatalities and the devastation of infrastructure can lead to psychological and emotional distress.  The recent flood in Nigeria has had a significant impact, affecting more than 1.3 million people, resulting in over 600 fatalities, the destruction of more than 300,000 hectares of crops, and the destruction of over 200,000 buildings (Akin et al., 2020). The situation has imposed a significant economic and psychological weight on both the victims and their family members. Furthermore, internally displaced individuals often undergo emotional and psychological turmoil as a result of gathering in camps and being separated from their families and ancestral homes (Farhan et al., 2019).

Flooding has wide-ranging ramifications beyond the devastation of agricultural and residential areas, since it also impacts healthcare infrastructure and hinders service provision.  This could exacerbate the delicate state of the healthcare system and potentially undo the progress made in routine immunisation programmes (Basil et al., 2022). Immunisation and vaccination are two highly efficient methods for preventing illness and death in children caused by infectious diseases such polio, measles, TB, and diphtheria (Aliu et al., 2023). Vaccines and facilities have a designated shelf life and require specific ideal circumstances. Any deviation from these parameters might result in the loss of their functionality and potentially harmful repercussions when used.  Evacuating or displacing individuals from their homes has a negative effect on the regular immunisation cycles, timetables, and overall healthcare service output (Basil et al., 2022).

Nigeria's geographical and meteorological circumstances are it susceptible to flooding, especially during the rainy season. The Niger and Benue rivers, in addition to several smaller rivers and streams, frequently experience excessive water levels, resulting in extensive floods. Urbanisation, deforestation, inadequate drainage systems, and climate change exacerbate the frequency and intensity of floods. During the year 2024, there was a considerable amount of rainfall that led to extensive flooding in multiple states. This resulted in major harm to various structures, including health institutions (Chidi & Akan, 2024). This study examines the effects of the 2024 floods on healthcare facilities in Nigeria and the worsening of infectious diseases. The objective is to measure the magnitude of infrastructure destruction, estimate the impact on healthcare services, and analyse the rise in infectious disease epidemics. The study aims to get insights into the correlation between floods and public health consequences by analysing these elements. Therefore, the necessity for this investigation arises.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Flooding is a recurrent natural calamity in Nigeria, resulting in significant destruction and disturbance across multiple sectors. In 2024, Nigeria faced a series of intense flooding incidents that had a significant impact on health facilities and worsened the transmission of infectious diseases. Gaining insight into the interaction of flooding, health infrastructure, and disease outbreaks is essential for formulating efficient disaster management and public health initiatives.

The flooding in Nigeria has adverse effects on human health due to the pollution of water bodies and the rise in cases of waterborne diseases such as malaria, cholera, typhoid, yellow fever, diarrhoea, leptospirosis, and hepatitis A (Echendu, 2020; Olanrewaju et al., 2019). The ongoing discharge of untreated sewage and trash into the environment has resulted in the contamination of wells and boreholes that are used for household purposes. This further worsens the problem of limited availability of clean water in Lagos (Olanrewaju et al., 2019; Atufu and Holt, 2018; Anabaraonye et al., 2021).

Moreover, floods can affect water insecurity in two distinct manners. Initially, it pollutes water infrastructure, including wells and municipal pipes, which are responsible for providing drinking water to communities (Adelekan, 2010; Echendu, 2020). Furthermore, floods in Nigeria exacerbate the issue of safe drinking water contamination, which is already a pressing concern. Currently, a staggering 63 million individuals in Nigeria do not have access to clean drinking water (Echendu, 2020). Within Nigeria, numerous people residing in informal settlements, which are particularly susceptible to flooding and have little financial resources, also face challenges in obtaining clean water and sanitation facilities (Aliu and others, 2021). Floods pose a significant risk to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) outlined in the UN's 2030 Agenda, which focuses on ensuring access to clean water and sanitation. The pollution of water bodies and destruction of sanitation facilities resulting from floods have far-reaching consequences on the health of affected regions (Raimi et al., 2018; Olanrewaju et al., 2019). According to recent evaluations, Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African nations will face significant challenges in attaining the SDG6 targets by 2030 (Kremere et al., 2019).

Finally, floodwaters have the potential to inflict significant harm on health institution structures, medical apparatus, and resources. The damage mentioned can result in the inability of facilities to function, which in turn can cause a deprivation of crucial health services (Theophilus et al., 2024). Aina (2022) states that flooding has the potential to impair the normal operations of healthcare facilities, which includes outpatient services, emergency care, and inpatient treatment. The displacement of healthcare workers and patients worsens these disruptions even more (Kolapo et al., 2023). This study aims to assess the effects of flooding in Nigeria in 2024 on health facilities and the worsening of infectious illnesses.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically assess the impacts of flooding in Nigeria in 2024 on health facilities and the exacerbation of infectious diseases. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To assess the extent of damages experienced by health facilities in Nigeria due to flooding in 2024.

To analyze the impact of flooding on healthcare service delivery in Nigeria in 2024.

To evaluate strategies for mitigating the impacts of flooding on health facilities and preventing disease outbreaks

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

What is the extent of damages experienced by health facilities in Nigeria due to flooding in 2024?

What is the impact of flooding on healthcare service delivery in Nigeria in 2024?

What are the strategies for mitigating the impacts of flooding on health facilities and preventing disease outbreaks?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses will validate this study;

Ho: The extent of damages experienced by health facilities in Nigeria due to flooding in 2024 is low.

Ha: The extent of damages experienced by health facilities in Nigeria due to flooding in 2024 is high.

1.6 Significance of the study

It is crucial to investigate the effects of the 2024 flood in Nigeria on health facilities and the worsening of infectious diseases in order to comprehend the intricate connections between environmental disasters and public health. The results contribute to the development of resilience, enhancement of health outcomes, and promotion of sustainable development in places prone to flooding. 

Moreover, empirical research provides support for advocating policies that incorporate climate adaptation and planning in the health sector. The initiative promotes investments in robust hospital facilities, water and sanitation systems, and public health activities to reduce the effects of future floods. The study's findings can be used to shape the creation of emergency response plans, which encompass early warning systems, evacuation procedures, and the management of medical supplies. These plans aim to reduce the impact of floods on health institutions and prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Finally, upcoming scholars will utilise it as a thorough examination of the current academic literature. Hence, anyone with an inclination towards this field of study can confidently depend on this work as a reliable and meticulously evaluated source of information.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically assess the impacts of flooding in Nigeria in 2024 on health facilities and the exacerbation of infectious diseases. Specifically, this study seeks to assess the extent of Damages experienced by health facilities in Nigeria due to flooding in 2024 and analyze the impact of flooding on healthcare service delivery in Nigeria in 2024. 

Further, this study will focus on investigating the incidence and spread of infectious diseases in flood-affected areas and it also seeks to aevaluate strategies for mitigating the impacts of flooding on health facilities and preventing disease outbreaks.

1.8 Limitations of the study

Like in any human attempt, the researchers encountered several small limits during the investigation. The primary constraint was the dearth of comprehensive literature on the topic, given the scarcity of data pertaining to flood in Nigeria in 2024; its impact on health facilities and exacerbations of infectious diseases. Therefore, a substantial investment of time and effort was required to identify the suitable materials, books, or information and to collect data. 

Moreover, this study is limited by its diminutive sample size and restricted geographical range, concentrating just on Nigeria. Hence, the findings of this study cannot be extrapolated, thereby necessitating additional research. 

Furthermore, the researcher's restraints were predominantly attributable to financial limitations, as they are a student without a means of revenue to support themselves. The research location's high transportation costs, impacted by current inflation in Nigeria, made it difficult to afford transportation fees.

In addition, the researcher encountered a time limitation as a result of the necessity to do this research while simultaneously meeting the responsibilities of attending lectures and engaging in other educational pursuits.

1.9 Definition of terms

Flood: Flood is an overflow of water onto normally dry land. The inundation of a normally dry area caused by rising water in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch. Ponding of water at or near the point where the rain fell. Flooding is a longer term event than flash flooding: it may last days or weeks.

Flood pattern: Flood pattern" refers to the correlation and relationship between various parameters, such as rainfall and temperature, that contribute to the occurrence and severity of floods.

Urbanization: Urbanization is the process through which cities grow, and higher and higher percentages of the population come to live in the city.