WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE
Resolution REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN Sixty-fourth Session Agenda item 3(b) Climate change and health: a framework for action The Regional Committee, Having reviewed the technical discussion paper on climate change and health: a framework for action1; Recalling resolutions WHA61.19 and EM/RC55/R.8 on climate change and health and EM/RC60/R.5 on the regional strategy on health and the environment (2014–2019); Recalling also the outcomes of the second Global Conference on Health and Climate which set key actions for the implementation of the Paris agreement to reduce health risks linked to climate change, and the Marrakech Ministerial Declaration on Health, Environment and Climate Change (2016); Concerned that, in some countries of the Region, health systems are still not resilient to climate change; Recognizing the leadership role of ministries of health in governance, regulation and surveillance of health, as well as in triggering necessary actions and interventions by other related sectors to protect health from climate change and environmental risks; 1. ENDORSES the framework for action on climate change and health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (2017–2021) (annexed to this resolution); REQUESTS the Director-General to include the adoption of the Marrakech Ministerial Declaration on Health, Environment and Climate Change as an agenda item for the 143rd session of the Executive Board; CALLS ON Member States to: 3.1 Designate and empower a national health and climate change focal point to facilitate and coordinate the development of the public health response to climate change; Increase climate resilience of health systems, including through integration of surveillance, early warning systems and management of the impact of climate change on health outcomes; EM/RC64/R.3 October 2017
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EM/RC64/R.3 3.3 Ensure support for health and climate action through engaging the health community, relevant sectors and other stakeholders in mitigation and adaptation of climate change;
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REQUESTS the Regional Director to: 4.1. Provide technical support to Member States to develop national frameworks for action on climate-resilient health systems and to implement country-specific national public health response to climate change; Build partnerships with United Nations organizations and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of the framework for action on climate change and health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (2017–2021); Convene a regional consultation on health and the environment, with focus on climate change and air pollution, as well as implementation of the regional framework with participation from national health and environment authorities; Report to the Regional Committee on the progress achieved in the implementation of the regional framework for action on climate change and health at its sixty-sixth and sixty-eighth sessions.
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EM/RC64/R.3
Annex 1. Proposed framework for action on climate change and health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region Strategic response target Action by countries WHO support
Governance, policy and engagement for health protection from climate change Governance Establish a specific responsibility and accountability legal mechanism within the ministry of health for protecting health from A focal point on health and climate climate change within and outside the health change is assigned responsibility sector for facilitating and coordinating the Designate a national health and climate focal development of the public health point with clearly defined terms of reference and response to climate change budgetary allocation to coordinate the health sector response to climate change Institute a coordination modality for the health and climate focal point entity to steer the development and implementation of the public health response to climate change. Policy A national policy and action plan on health and climate change are developed and integrated with the national public health strategy and policy. Engagement The national health and climate change policy and action plan are well-integrated into the national climate change policy and action plans for climate adaptation and mitigation The designated national health and climate focal point is a member of the national delegation to the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCC Health impact assessments of climate adaptation and mitigation measures are conducted within three health-determining sectors Develop a national policy, strategy and action plan on health and climate change Integrate the health and climate change policy and action plan into the national public health strategy and policy.
Provide training and institutional capacitybuilding to designated health and climate focal point entities Share relative modalities, experiences and lessons learned from other Member States with designated health and climate focal point entities
Share guidelines, strategies, experiences and lessons learned from other Member States on developing a national policy and action plan on health and climate change
Integrate the national health and climate change policy and action plan into the national climate change policy and action plans on climate change adaptation and mitigation Adequately represent the ministry of health in the main climate change processes at all levels (e.g. UNFCCC meetings, Conference of the Parties negotiations and national communications) Conclude agreements between the ministry of health and other ministries (of healthdetermining sectors), delineating specific roles and responsibilities in assessing the health impacts and benefits of climate change adaptation and mitigation policies
Share guidelines, strategies, experiences and lessons learned from other Member States on developing a national crosssectoral collaboration mechanism on health and climate change
Climate resilient health systems – robust surveillance, early warning and response Surveillance and health information systems: Assessment of health vulnerability to climate change is completed and updated biennially with emerging evidence The health information system encompasses the health and climate change vulnerability and response data Early warning system on climate health risks is established Undertake assessment of health vulnerability to climate change and evaluate the existing response and adaptation options within the health sector (i.e. vulnerability and adaptation assessments) Enhance disease surveillance, link with environmental monitoring and develop climatebased early warning systems Expand the geographic, population and seasonal coverage of health surveillance and control programmes for climate-sensitive diseases Provide training and institutional capacitybuilding on climate risks, monitoring and surveillance, early warning, and vulnerability and adaptation assessments Share relevant health information system modalities development from other Member States
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EM/RC64/R.3 Strategic response target Response and health programmes: The strategic plans and operating procedures of national health programmes are revised to respond to climate risks Action by countries Update the strategic plans of national health programmes on climate-sensitive diseases, taking into account the outcome of the health vulnerability assessment Revise standard operating procedures within the public health system to respond to climate risks by providing health programme interventions Develop human resources capacity via educational curricula and professional training of health personnel to ensure sufficient number of health workers are equipped to deal with the health risks posed by climate change Strengthen organizational preparedness capacity, with contingency planning for deployment and response (at national, provincial and local levels) in the case of acute climate shocks and crises, such as extreme weather events (e.g. flooding, drought, heat waves, etc.) and consequent outbreaks Assess systematically the vulnerability of health facilities and infrastructure in light of climate risk forecasts Revise specifications to include climate risk projections in the siting and construction, functioning and operation, energy and water supplies, and sanitation services of health care facilities Retrofit health facilities’ infrastructure to increase operational efficiency, reduce environmental footprint and sustain health services to withstand and overcome extreme weather events (e.g. utilize renewable energy, water recycling, etc.) WHO support Share awareness-raising materials, norms and standards, and interventions regarding health and climate issues
Response and health workforce: 70% of the ministry of health workforce in climate-sensitive health programmes are trained on health impacts and response to climate change Contingency plans are developed to respond to climate shock events Response and health infrastructure and technologies: National assessment on the climate resilience of health infrastructures is generated National standards and building codes for health infrastructure and technologies are revised in view of climate vulnerability 50% of health care facilities are equipped with climate-proofed infrastructure and supporting services
Provide guidance on developing and delivering educational curricula and professional training of health personnel on health and climate change Share experiences, norms and standards, and planning regarding health and climate responses Provide training modules and capacitybuilding for health system preparedness and response to climate change
Share specifications, norms and standards for climate-resilient health care facilities. Provide guidance on greening the health sector Facilitate networking with global initiatives (e.g. Health Care Without Harm)
Enhanced management of environmental health interventions Regulatory and surveillance roles of the ministry of health in the management of environmental health: Health evidence database is generated to support development of national regulations on the management of environmental health services (e.g. water supply, sanitation, food safety, etc.) Public health protection and promotion are well-streamlined within national regulations and policies on environmental health services and determinants Surveillance role of the ministry of health is strengthened in the integrated management of environmental health services and determinants Collect and analyse information on environmental hazards and health outcomes Connect and integrate the monitoring and evaluation programmes of environmental risks with the health surveillance systems Improved national regulations and policies on key environmental health services and determinants (e.g. drinking water, air quality, food system, housing, transport, energy, waste management, health facilities) are promulgated to ensure health protection and promotion while addressing climate change Maintain independent surveillance by the ministry of health to evaluate effectiveness, compliance and health impacts of the environmental health services managed by other sectors (such as drinking water, sanitation, food safety, management of chemicals, etc.) Share international/regional experiences, norms and standards on integrating climatic, meteorological and environmental monitoring and evaluation programmes with health surveillance systems
Mobilizing support for the public health response to climate change Mobilization Financial and human resources are secured to protect health from climate change Mobilize financial and human resources to support the health response to climate change in the core functions of public health Mobilize financial resources to support the health sector in assessing the co-benefits of climate action in other health-determining sectors and to identify climate actions that bring greatest benefits Share international/regional networking and experiences on mobilizing national resources to protect health from climate change in the health and other sectors Provide consultation to decision-makers and training and capacity-building development programmes to relevant professional staff
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EM/RC64/R.3 Strategic response target Financial and human resources are available to the health sector to carry out health impact and cobenefit analyses of climate action options in health-determining sectors International funding mechanisms (e.g. Green Climate Fund) are accessed to conduct health-based adaptation measures and mitigation projects to health Action by countries WHO support
Facilitate access to international funding opportunities and mechanisms (e.g. Green Climate Fund) for dissemination towards health-based adaptation measures and mitigation projects, including nationally determined contributions
Share international/regional networking and proposals for mobilizing funds from international monetary mechanisms
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