“We need to pay more attention to clean water supply, immunization, diseases surveillance, mosquito control and disaster preparedness.”, said Dr Olive.

According to Dr Olive, the WHO used World Health Day to warn the world’s people that the climate change could put the health of millions at risk. Climate-sensitive ailments such as diarrhoea, malaria and protein-energy malnutrition have already caused more than three million deaths each year.

The day’s theme was Protecting Health From Climate Change and its purpose was to both strengthen public health and reduce the negative impact of climate change.

Vietnam is one of five countries most likely to be heavily impacted by climate change.

Higher temperatures will have a negative impact on human health and lead to an increased incidence of disease among the young and the elderly.

Fierce and more frequent storms will cause floods that will destroy houses, schools, hospitals and pollute water supplies.