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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region 2017–2022
Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022 ISBN: 978-92-9022-610-9 © World Health Organization 2017 Some rights reserved. This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO licence (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo). Under the terms of this licence, you may copy, redistribute and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided the work is appropriately cited, as indicated below. In any use of this work, there should be no suggestion that WHO endorses any specific organization, products or services. The use of the WHO logo is not permitted. If you adapt the work, then you must license your work under the same or equivalent Creative Commons licence. If you create a translation of this work, you should add the following disclaimer along with the suggested citation: “This translation was not created by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO is not responsible for the content or accuracy of this translation. The original English edition shall be the binding and authentic edition”. Any mediation relating to disputes arising under the licence shall be conducted in accordance with the mediation rules of the World Intellectual Property Organization.. Suggested citation. Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022. New Delhi: World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Cataloguing-in-Publication (CIP) data. CIP data are available at http://apps.who.int/iris. Sales, rights and licensing. To purchase WHO publications, see http://apps.who.int/bookorders. To submit requests for commercial use and queries on rights and licensing, see http://www.who.int/about/licensing. Third-party materials. If you wish to reuse material from this work that is attributed to a third party, such as tables, figures or images, it is your responsibility to determine whether permission is needed for that reuse and to obtain permission from the copyright holder. The risk of claims resulting from infringement of any third-partyowned component in the work rests solely with the user. General disclaimers. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WHO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted and dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WHO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. All reasonable precautions have been taken by WHO to verify the information contained in this publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall WHO be liable for damages arising from its use.
Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Contents Note iv Abbreviations v
1. Background 1 2. WHO operational framework on building climate-resilient health systems 3. Experience in implementing the WHO Operational Framework in the South-East Asia Region 4. Action framework in building health systems resilience to climate change
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5. References 30
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Note This Framework was developed in consultation with Member States of the South-East Asia Region, mainly through the Informal Consultation to prepare for the Ministerial Roundtable on Building Health Systems Resilience to Climate Change, which will be organized as part of the Seventieth session of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee. Held on 14–15 May 2017 in Male’, Maldives, the Consultation was attended by programme managers of climate and health from all 11 Member States of the Region. The meeting was opened by the Minister of Health and attended by the WHO Representative to Maldives, the State Minister of Health, Maldives and senior Ministry of Health (MoH) officials. At this Consultation, Member State representatives presented their work on climate change and health focusing mainly on the areas of health risks faced by each country, existing governance and institutional set-up, health adaptation measures and mitigation actions. The Consultation discussed the way forward, and identified key points to be included in the draft Male’ Declaration and Framework for Action. The Framework for Action was drafted with inputs from all Member States as a list of prioritized actions, based on the needs of countries. The development of this Framework has taken considerable account of the following: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Global Agreement on Climate Change, the intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) of Member States submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the World Health Assembly and South-East Asia Regional Committee resolutions on related areas. Lastly, it was prepared based on the WHO Operational Framework on Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems.
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Abbreviations CC&H CSD GHG HNAP IEC INDC IPCC MoH NAP NDC NGO SDGs V&A WASH WHO climate change and health climate-sensitive disease greenhouse gas(es) health national adaptation plan for climate change information, education and communication intended nationally determined contribution Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Ministry of Health national adaptation plan for climate change nationally determined contribution nongovernmental organization Sustainable Development Goals vulnerability and adaptation assessment water, sanitation and health World Health Organization
NDPCC National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
v
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
1. Background 1.1 Public health and climate change There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that climate change resulting from increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) generated by human activity has already affected some aspects of human health, and will increase in future, especially in low- and middle-income countries and populations. Climate change will disproportionately affect vulnerable groups in each country, including children, the poor, elderly, agricultural workers and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Moreover, other environmental challenges, such as increasing urbanization, the danger posed by hazardous waste and chemicals, water pollution and air pollution, would pose higher risks to public health1. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its latest assessment report (AR5, 2014) suggests that climate change can affect health through three mechanisms: 1. direct effects through exposure to weather events, such as heat waves, floods and storms (exacerbated by sea level rise); 2. indirect effects mediated through environmental systems, such as changing patterns of vector-borne, foodborne and waterborne diseases, and rising air pollution; and 3. indirect effects mediated through social and human systems, such as undernutrition, occupational heat stress, mental illness, potential increase in population displacement, slowing of economic growth and poverty exacerbation. The latest WHO estimate2 reports that globally, 250 000 additional deaths per year would be attributable to climate change between 2030 and 2050. This is a conservative estimate that considers only a subset of health impacts from climate change (heat-related mortality, coastal flood mortality, diarrhoea, malaria, dengue and undernutrition). Studies carried out in the WHO SouthEast Asia Region also raise the same concerns on increasing health vulnerability from climate change. Recent studies from this Region provide some evidence of the impacts of climate change on health at the local level. A study from India found that heat waves had increased in frequency, as had their average and maximum duration all over India.3 The heat wave in 2015 alone claimed more than 2500 lives in south India. A study from Nepal showed that a 1oC increase
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
in mean temperature increased the incidence of malaria by 25%.4 A study from Bangladesh revealed the disproportionate health risks of vulnerable population groups from climate change, mainly malaria, dengue, childhood diarrhoea and pneumonia.5 A sentinel surveillance conducted as part of a pilot project on health adaptation in Bhutan found the presence of Culex and Anopheles vectors at very high altitudes (>2100 m) for the first time. In addition to the impacts of climate change on health, climate change and extreme weather events also impact on health facilities themselves in a number of ways: by disruption of supplies due to blocked roads, damage to essential services such as energy and water supply and obstructing patients’ access. A summary of health risks posed by climate change as reported by Member States of the South-East Asia Region is presented in Table 1. Table 1: Major health risks from climate change in the South-East Asia Region by country Country Bangladesh • Health risks from climate change Diarrhoeal diseases from temperature change and disasters, malaria, dengue, kala-azar, mortality from excess floods, cyclones, storm surges, droughts and heat waves, injuries, psychosocial stress and respiratory diseases Death and injuries due to glacial lake outburst floods, landslides and flash floods, malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis (sporadic cases have been reported), chikungunya (first documented in 2012 in southern Bhutan (Samtse and Chukha)), waterborne diseases and respiratory infections Injury, drowning and deaths due to typhoons and storms, leptospirosis, acute gastrointestinal infections, mental health disorders caused by climate extremes, nutritional deficiencies due to food insecurity resulting from flooding and drought Bronchial asthma and silicosis due to sandy storm phenomena Waterborne diseases due to drying of water sources and scarcity of water Damages to health facilities and equipment; disruption of power and water supply, which are essential for running health facilities Mortality and morbidity related to heat stress, malaria, dengue, Japanese encephalitis (JE), kala-azar, waterborne diseases due to flooding, respiratory diseases due to poor air quality, injuries and deaths due to extreme weather events, undernutrition due to food insecurity caused by droughts and mental health
Bhutan
•
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
•
• • •
India
•
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Country Indonesia •
Health risks from climate change Malaria, dengue and leptospirosis, diarrhoea due to flooding, respiratory infections due to air pollution caused by forest fires, malnutrition due to failed harvest caused by drought or flooding Damages to health-care facilities and services Dengue, chikungunya, scrub typhus, risk of newly emerging diseases such as Zika virus infection, increased risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid due to unsafe water and poor sanitation, mental health issues, injuries due to extreme weather events and undernutrition due to the effect of flooding or drought to agriculture Increased risk to health-care facilities located in coastal areas An increase in heat-stress, heat exhaustion and dehydration due to an increase in temperatures and extreme temperature events Longer season and distribution of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, an increase in social and mental stress due to disasters and displacement, increase in food insecurity leading to malnutrition and hunger, particularly among children Health risks due to salinity in the groundwater due to rise in sea levels in coastal areas Disruption of health services and damage to health-care facilities. Vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue, lymphatic filariasis, kalaazar, JE, chikungunya), waterborne and foodborne diseases, cardiorespiratory diseases, malnutrition, injuries and mental illness Almost all districts are vulnerable to dengue, death and disability due to landslides and floods, diseases due to air pollution, heat-related morbidity and mortality, especially among informal sector workers (farmers and construction workers), and children and the elderly Dengue, respiratory diseases, heat-related illnesses, drowning and injuries due to floods, and damage to health facilities due to floods and coastal erosion Vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, heat-related mortality, undernutrition, diarrhoeal diseases and disruption to health-care services due to extreme weather events
• Maldives •
• Myanmar • •
• • Nepal •
Sri Lanka
•
Thailand
•
Timor-Leste
•
Source: Country presentations made on 14 May 2017
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
1.2 Response to climate change The impacts of climate change will be mostly felt in countries where health systems are weak, and the capacity to adapt and respond to climate risks is low. Recognizing the impact of climate change on health, WHO Member States unanimously adopted World Health Assembly resolution WHA61.9 “Climate change and health” (CC&H) in 2008 and subsequently South-East Asia Regional Committee Resolution SEA/RC62/R2 “Climate change and human health”, which was passed during the Sixty-second Regional Committee in 2009. The resolutions were operationalized by including climate change activities in WHO country workplans and have been implemented progressively over the past nine years. Initially, the focus of climate and health responses in the Region was on creating awareness among all stakeholders, developing the capacity of public health professionals to understand the linkages, and streamline climate change into public health programmes – conducting research – and increasing the decision-making ability of policy-makers. More recently, however, increasing attention is being given to developing and implementing health national adaptation plans (HNAPs). A recent evaluation of climate and health programmes in the South-East Asia Region6 shows that awareness of the health impacts of climate change is high among health and other relevant ministries. The evaluation, however, identified that only a small number of national public health policies currently include climate change as a key consideration. In order to effectively build health resilience to climate change, it is important to clearly articulate health risks arising from climate change, so that appropriate responses are developed, public health programmes include climate risks in their planning and policy, support from partner ministries (such as water, agriculture, energy, environment, etc.) is garnered for CC&H activities, and funding for building health systems’ resilience is accessed from both domestic and external resources.
1.3 Climate change in the Sustainable Development Goals Major progress on CC&H at the international level in recent times include the Sustainable Development Agenda, the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change –particularly the inclusion of “right to health” in its preamble – and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. As an essential agenda for sustainable development, climate change has a dedicated SDG (SDG 13) to “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” and three targets, all relevant to the health sector (Table 2).
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Table 2: SDG 13 targets and indicators Targets 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries 13.1.1 Indicators Number of countries with national and local disaster risk-reduction strategies Number of deaths, missing persons and persons affected by disaster per 100 000 people Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan that increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low GHG emissions in a manner that does not threaten food production Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning into primary, secondary and tertiary curricula Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, and development actions
13.1.2
13.2
Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
13.2.1
13.3
Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
13.3.1
13.3.2
Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/11803Official-List-of-Proposed-SDGIndicators.pdf
1.4 Potential roles of the health sector in climate change and health The health sector – on which climate change has a major impact, can play many proactive roles in addressing climate change at the national, regional and global levels, within and outside the health sector boundary. A few examples follow. 1. Raise awareness and advocate for a better policy response to climate change, using health information. 2. Strengthen health systems to prepare for and minimize the impacts that are posed by climate change and extreme weather events.
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
3. Collaborate with other health-determining authorities in sectors such as water, environment, agriculture, energy and disaster management to include health in their climate adaptation plans and responses. For example, mitigation measures could be taken in the transport sector by reducing emissions, which would also produce health co-benefits. 4. Lead and be a role model by reducing GHG emissions and by taking initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint.
1.5 Challenges in promoting health systems resilience to climate change While CC&H has gained attention in general, there is still room to raise awareness and understanding of climate risks in the public policy process, particularly in the formulation and revision of public health policies, and inclusion of climate risks in sectors responsible for climate-sensitive diseases (CSDs)/programmes and environmental determinants of health. Health adaptation measures were mostly piloted or implemented in countries that received funds from external donors. In all Member States, climate change risks have not been mainstreamed in overall health planning and programmes. Hence it was felt necessary to strengthen climate and health units to further coordinate with CSD programmes and health-determining sectors such as water, environment, energy, agriculture and transport. Working with these sectors is crucial in addressing the climate impacts on health and ensuring CC&H programme sustainability in the long term. Member States of the South-East Asia Region are short on evidence, in particular from local research, to develop context-relevant policy. Continuous advocacy and capacity development on the subject was also identified as important for further intensifying climate and health work. Human, technical and financial resources are of paramount importance to address CC&H in the Region. Although countries have full responsibility to better address CC&H, international agencies and external development partners have the potential to facilitate preparedness and capacity. The Health Ministerial Roundtable is being held at an opportune time to garner political commitment to and technical support for embedding climate change risks in health planning and programming. It is of strategic importance to identify a priority list of actions based on the needs of countries, and in line with the various international conventions and agreements on climate change and the environment and the SDGs.
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
2. WHO operational framework on building climate-resilient health systems WHO’s operational framework on building climate-resilient health systems was launched in 2015 to guide Member States, particularly the health sector, to systematically and effectively address the increasing challenges posed by climate variability and change. Developing the resilience of health systems is a cumulative process that occurs over the short-, medium- and long term. It entails building capacity: to understand, monitor, anticipate, communicate and prepare for the changing climate-related health risks; to prevent, respond to, manage and cope with uncertainty, adversity and stress; to adapt operations and health functions to cope with changing risk conditions; to effectively recover from crises and setbacks with reduced reliance on outside support; and to learn from experience and improve system capacity for the future. The six building blocks of the health system (leadership and governance, health workforce, health information system, essential medical products and technologies, service delivery, and financing) are important starting points for building overall resilience of the health system to climate change and strengthen existing health system capacities. Therefore, the operational framework covers all six building blocks through 10 components (shown in the outer ring of Fig. 1) with some blocks (service delivery and health information systems) covered by multiple components. In the process of developing these 10 components of health system resilience, and to protect the health of the population, the health sector needs to collaborate with sectors that have a direct influence on health such as water, energy and agriculture. Last but not least, the health sector must engage communities if health systems are to protect health and facilitate community resilience.
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Fig. 1: Ten components of building climate-resilient health systems and the main connections to the six building blocks of health systems7
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
3. Experience in implementing the WHO operational framework in the South-East Asia Region Component 1 – Leadership and governance The objectives of this component are (i) to have specific responsibility and accountability mechanisms on climate change and health established within the health ministry, (ii) to have climate variability and change considerations reflected in the main health policies and programmes and (iii) to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration and maximize synergies to ensure that decisions taken in other sectors protect and promote health. Ministries of Health of all 11 Member States have identified a focal point for climate change and health, but most units are not funded. Nepal and Sri Lanka have an approved HNAP and now the Ministry of Health (MoH) Nepal is working with the Ministry of Environment to integrate the HNAP in the overall national adaptation plan (NAP) for climate change. The HNAP of Sri Lanka has been incorporated into the National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change, 2016–2024. Additionally, the MoH in Sri Lanka has developed and submitted the nationally determined contributions on adaptation for the health sector with the overall nationally determined contributions for Sri Lanka as per the Paris Agreement. Bhutan, India, Indonesia and Thailand have drafted HNAPs and are now finalizing them. The remaining countries have plans to initiate HNAPs in 2017. The Government of India has instituted a national Expert Group on Climate Change and Human Health with wide representation of experts from concerned ministries/departments, institutions and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee (NDPCC) in Myanmar is responsible for coordinating the nation’s disaster risk management. Health care is one of the 10 subcommittees under the NDPCC, and it is chaired by the Union Minister for Health and Sports. Fig. 2: Health workers treating patients affected by extreme heat in Myanmar
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Thailand’s climate change master plan includes public health as one of the core components – focusing on strengthening public health services and health surveillance, and prevention systems.
Component 2 – Health workforce Objectives of this component are to ensure that (i) a sufficient number of health workers with the required technical capacity are available to deal with the health risks posed by climate variability and change, (ii) resources, information, knowledge and processes employed by health are used in an efficient and targeted manner in the face of additional risks and (iii) awareness is raised of the link between climate change and health outcomes among different target audiences (policy-makers, senior staff, media and communities). A regional training package consisting of 16 stand-alone modules on climate change and health was launched in 2015. Regional training on climate and health was conducted for programme managers of 10 Member States. Climate change and health focal points were trained in developing HNAPs. Regional high-level advocacy meetings on climate change and health have been held in 2007, 2010 and 2015. All Member States have organized nationaland subnational-level training on climate and health.
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Bhutan has incorporated an Environmental Health and Climate Change module in the curriculum of in-service health workers, and conducted awareness and training for health professionals, village health workers and communities. The country has also developed information, education and communication (IEC) materials on climate change and health. Nepal is adapting the regional training modules into a national training package on climate and health. Sri Lanka has conducted training workshops on climate change and health for public health staff working at the grass-roots level and trained around 350 workers throughout the country from 2013 to date. Climate change and health has been included in school health programmes in Bangladesh and Timor-Leste. Sri Lanka has conducted training workshops on climate change and health for Public Health Staff working at grass root level and trained around 350 workers at district level throughout the country from 2013 to date. Additionally, a Training of Trainer workshop was conducted at national level in 2016 with the support of the WHO where international and local experts participated as resource personnel. Secondary schools students in Sri Lanka are taught about climate change. The country has incorporated climate change in the postgraduate curriculum for medical doctors, MSc courses in Community Medicine and MPH in Public Health. Additionally, IEC materials on climate change have been developed by the MoH and distributed to reach communities throughout Sri Lanka. Fig. 3: Students being taught about climate and health in Bangladesh
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Component 3 – Vulnerability, capacity and adaptation assessment The objectives of this component are (i) to develop a sound understanding of the main health risks posed by climate variability and change, and to identify the most vulnerable population groups in the country, (ii) to develop a baseline record on capacities and gaps within the health system in dealing with the challenges posed by climate change and (iii) to identify adaptation options, including their comparative advantages, potential costs and efficiency, to be made available for selection by health system decision-makers. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand have conducted vulnerability assessments for various CSDs and health conditions. Timor-Leste has conducted a vulnerability assessment of groundwater resources to climate change. Table 3: Potential vulnerable populations to climate-sensitive diseases, Nepal Diseases Malaria Lymphatic filariasis Japanese encephalitis Kala-azar Dengue Chikungunya Waterborne and foodborne diseases Noncommunicable diseases No. of districts 65 60 24 12 24 24 75 75 Potential risk population (%) 52.0 (recent) 87.0 53.9 29.7 55.0 55.0 100 100 All districts All Tarai + its adjoining districts Remarks All but mountain districts
Source: Department of Health Services, Nepal, 2013
All 11 Member States have submitted their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) to the UNFCCC. INDCs of all Member States have included health as one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste have identified health adaptation as one of the priority actions in their INDCs.1 Indonesia and Nepal have not included or detailed health as a priority action. 1 Now it is known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Component 4 – Integrated risk monitoring and early warning Integrated risk monitoring refers to the use of tools and epidemiological surveillance for early detection in conjunction with direct and remote sensing technologies for surveillance of the environmental determinants of health (e.g. water and air quality, variability in ambient temperature and humidity or incidence of extreme weather events). The overarching aim of this component is to use integrated disease surveillance and monitoring of a broad range of signals around a health risk and early warning systems to identify changing conditions more quickly to anticipate outbreaks and emergencies related to weather and climate. Integrated surveillance for CSDs and climate data has been piloted along the riverine areas covering five districts in Bhutan. The country is now expanding such surveillance systems in eight other districts through 18 more sentinel sites. Fig. 4: Map showing expansion sites for integrated disease and climate surveillance in Bhutan
Source: Environment and Health Program, Ministry of Health, Bhutan
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has initiated the development of climate sensitive disease and meteorological data surveillance. The National Disaster Management Authority in India has developed a national heat-health action plan that is to be adopted by all states. To date, two states have implemented the action plan at the subnational level. In
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
addition, India has conducted an in-depth review of its Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and the country is now in the process of redesigning the Programme for timely reporting, analysis, and for better surveillance and response to climate-sensitive illnesses. Sri Lanka has developed the final draft of the heat-health action plan. There is a good surveillance system for climate-sensitive diseases such as dengue, leptospirosis, foodborne and waterborne diseases in Sri Lanka. Thailand has developed an integrated risk monitoring and early warning system for extreme heat events, which is currently being piloted in communities. The MoH is also developing a 5-year public health action plan on heat, haze and drought conditions, including three measures, i.e. an information and surveillance system, prevention system, and treatment and emergency response system.
Component 5 – Health and climate research Building climate resilience calls for both basic and applied research so as to reduce uncertainty about how local conditions may be affected, gain insight into local solutions and capacities, and build evidence to strengthen decisionmaking. The objectives of this component are (i) to identify and agree on a multidisciplinary national research agenda on climate change and health, (ii) to provide support for developing research capacity and (iii) to disseminate research findings to policy-makers for taking action. Several research studies have been carried out in the Region. Bangladesh has completed a cluster randomized intervention trial on a child-centred approach to climate change and health adaptation through schools, a baseline cross-sectional survey on climate change and health, and a knowledge and perception study about climate change and human health among vulnerable communities. A study on the effects of climate variability, seasonal variations and environmental events on drinking water quality, diarrhoea prevalence and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) behaviour is ongoing in the country. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has conducted a study on the relative change in air pollution compared with climate change, and identification of parameters for quantitative and qualitative analysis of water contamination. In India, the Department of Science and Technology in association with the Department of Health Research has completed eight research projects on climate change and human health in the following three thematic areas
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
– vector-borne diseases, air pollution and health, and heat stress and health during 2013–2016. Sri Ramachandra University, a WHO collaborating centre on environmental and occupational health, has recently published two research papers – one on occupational heat stress profiles in selected workplaces in India and another on the social implications of occupational heat stress on migrant workers engaged in public constructions: a case study from southern India. Nepal has completed a study to assess effects of climatic factors on diarrhoeal diseases at national and subnational levels; and two studies – longitudinal observation study on the effectiveness of existing household and community-level WASH interventions on health vulnerability to climate in Jiri; and an assessment of the health effects of cold waves in Nepal – are ongoing. Fig. 5: Water quality data collection in Nepal
Thailand has conducted health-related research on climate change from the district to the national level. It includes research on the health risks of climate change caused by vector- and waterborne diseases; morbidity and mortality associated with high ambient temperatures; associations between heat stress and occupational injuries, and mental health impacts and well-being. A study is under way to understand the relationship between air pollution, heat and health effects in urban areas, and another study on the health economic impact of heat and air pollution in urban areas.
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Sri Lanka has carried out a study to analyse the effects of meteorological factors on dengue incidence; a study to understand the correlation between dengue and weather in Kandy City; and a retrospective study on climatic factors and the occurrence of dengue fever, dysentery and leptospirosis in Sri Lanka between 1996 and 2010.
Component 6 – Climate-resilient and sustainable technologies and infrastructure The objectives of this component are to ensure that (i) climate risks are systematically considered when dealing with technologies, products and procedures for health infrastructure and services, (ii) new technologies, processes and products are selected and promoted keeping in mind climate resilience and (iii) the sustainability of health operations is promoted and enhanced to build climate resilience and contribute to long-term sustainability. The former includes ensuring that health facilities are able to withstand current and projected future climate risks by proper design and appropriate and safe siting. It also includes consideration of the climate resilience of services such as water, sanitation and electricity supply, which may be disrupted during extreme weather events. These events may influence the effectiveness of specific medical products and vaccines. For example, antidepressants, antihistamines, antipsychotics and diuretics may predispose their users to heat stroke or heat stress when temperatures are high. Selection of medical technologies and devices with a lower environmental footprint can also contribute to climate resilience and sustainability. Bangladesh has developed a strategy on the “green hospital” initiative, which will be piloted when resources become available. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is developing and implementing plans on greening health facilities, focusing on the use of renewable energy such as geothermal and solar energy, and planting trees around the facilities. The MoH is also collaborating with industrial technical sectors in minimizing carbon emissions, and treating and recycling waste water. India is in the process of revising its Indian Public Health Standards in light of the national action plan for climate change and human health to include elements for building climate-resilient and climate-friendly health systems. Maldives has developed health emergency response plans in eight facilities, and drills have been conducted. There are plans to expand such exercises in
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
seven more facilities. The country has also conducted a feasibility assessment for solar power in all health facilities in the Laamu Atoll. Nepal is promoting non-burn technologies for treating health-care waste in health-care facilities. The country has plans to improve the climate resilience of health-care facilities. Sri Lanka has developed a sectoral policy on “cleaner production” and introduced the “green hospital” concept to minimize GHG emissions from the health sector. The MoH has also introduced environmentally friendly technologies for waste management and clean energy in some health-care facilities. Reduction of GHG emissions from hospital activities is being undertaken in Thailand through its GREEN and CLEAN hospital initiative. To date, about 4736 hospitals are participating in this initiative. “GREEN” activities G: Garbage – 4Rs: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Repair R: Rest room: health, safety and accessibility E: Energy: savings using alternatives (wind, solar, biogas) E: Environment: reduce GHGs & healthy environment N: Nutrition: food safety and energy savings “CLEAN” strategies C: Communication L: Leadership E: Effectiveness A: Activities N: Networking
Component 7 – Managing the environmental determinants of health Climate change threatens health through environmental determinants such as air and water quality, water availability, food and nutrition security, housing and waste management. For this reason, the overarching aim of this component is to strengthen the role of the health system in identifying and managing the environmental determinants of health through public health prevention programmes in collaboration with other sectors that impact health such as industry, energy, transport, water, agriculture and municipalities. The objectives
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
of this component are (i) to ensure joint monitoring of climate-sensitive environmental risks against evidence-based standards, (ii) to promote the creation, revision and enforcement of regulatory policies protecting populations against climate-sensitive environmental risks, and (iii) to enhance coordinated management of the environmental determinants of health, with clear roles and responsibilities defined across sectors. Eight countries in the South-East Asia Region have established air quality standards for PM2.5. India, Nepal and Thailand have initiated monitoring of ambient air quality with engagement of the health sector. All Member States have included household air pollution actions in their noncommunicable disease action plans – although not all are implementing these, as the plans are largely unfunded. Bangladesh and Nepal are piloting climate-resilient water safety plans as part of their project on health adaptation to climate change through resilient WASH. Bhutan has piloted and is implementing climate-resilient WASH technologies such as revival of a drying spring source, which is the main water source for rural areas. Rooftop rainwater harvesting, constructed wetland for sewage treatment and ecological sanitation for places that face water shortages are other measures. Relevant national agencies, international organizations and NGOs have collaborated in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to develop solutions using new naturalized mineral water sources and underground water to cope with long-lasting extreme droughts. Maldives has developed a health-care waste management policy and strategic plan (2016–2021), and health-care waste management is being implemented in three atolls.
Component 8 – Climate-informed health programmes Climate variability and change will impact vector-borne and waterborne diseases. Extreme weather events will cause injuries, mental and occupational health issues, and damage health facilities . Therefore, the overarching aim of this component is to ensure that health policy, programming and operations are increasingly designed and implemented after taking into account both current climate variability and future climate change. In line with the objectives of
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
this component, health programmes can become climate resilient by using information about current and future climate conditions to identify capacity gaps and inform policy, strategic investment and planning decisions. Furthermore, climate-informed programming will continually review and adjust service delivery according to new information in order to respond to climate risks. The vector-borne disease programme in Bhutan is working with the Environmental Health Unit to expand vector surveillance in nonendemic areas. In India, the national vector-borne disease control programme is working towards malaria elimination by 2030, and control and elimination of other vector-borne diseases for which climate variability is included as an inbuilt risk factor adaptation. Some climate factors are considered in the prevention and control of the dengue programme in Maldives. Sri Lanka is taking a climate-informed approach to their dengue control programme. The country has eliminated malaria; however, continuous surveillance is ongoing.
Component 9 – Emergency preparedness and management Climate-informed preparedness plans, emergency systems and community-based disaster and emergency management are essential for building climate resilience. In this regard, it is important that health systems and communities aim to holistically manage overall public health risks and emphasize preparedness in addition to the usual focus on emergency response. Thus, the objectives for this component are to ensure that (i) emergency and disaster risk management protocols and policies include current and likely future climatic conditions, (ii) health system capacity is strengthened to manage risks so that overall vulnerability and exposure to hazards are reduced, and residual risks and uncertainties are effectively managed and (iii) communities are empowered to effectively prevent and respond to the health risks posed by extreme weather events. Bhutan has prepared a health sector emergency contingency plan. In order to understand a real situation and the health sector response, disaster management simulation and drills have been conducted in 14 hospitals. The MoH has also developed standard operating procedures for WASH in emergencies; it conducted three simulation exercises and engaged relevant stakeholders. The Democratic People’s Republic Korea is working to improve preparedness of health facilities through timely risk assessment to preventing or minimize the
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
impacts on infrastructure and health services during extreme weather events, floods and landslides. In Sri Lanka, a disaster management unit has been established in the health sector. It has developed guidelines in dealing with disasters such as floods and landslides. A diploma course for medical doctors is being conducted and district-level focal points for disaster management in the health sector have been identified throughout Sri Lanka. In Thailand, there is the Emergency Medical System for disaster preparedness and response. An emergency response plan for extreme weather events such as floods, drought and heat has been developed collaboratively with the health sector and other agencies such as the National Disaster Warning Centre and Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and Ministry of Interior.
Component 10 – Climate and health financing The objective of this component is to identify, propose and monitor the additional funds required to develop health system resilience to climate change. Examples of additional funding required include the need to employ additional resources to expand geographical or seasonal ranges or population coverage for surveillance and control programmes for CSDs, or retrofitting of health-care facilities to withstand extreme weather events. Resource requirements can be assessed through preparation of budgets for interventions selected in the previously described components, and compared with existing budget and funding resources to identify shortfalls that need to be addressed through mobilization of new resources. For those countries that have prepared HNAPs, the budgets developed for HNAPs can be used to identify resource gaps. A comprehensive approach to financing health protection from climate change will first build on core investments in the health sector, such as investments to ensure adequate numbers of trained health personnel and basic health infrastructure and services, which also help to address climate change risks. This can be from national resources or external donors. The objectives of this component include (i) development of health-specific funding mechanisms and climate change considerations included in proposals funded by health funding mechanisms, (ii) funding made available for sectors influencing health by incorporating health and climate change considerations
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
in projects and programmes and (iii) availability and accessibility of climate change funding streams at the national level. Funding is an issue for most countries due to competing health priorities that countries have to address. Some progress has been made in countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka where external funds were mobilized. Financial resources were identified as one of the challenges in addressing the impacts of climate change on health. Hence, there is a need to advocate it within countries as well as support countries in mobilizing funds from global funding mechanisms. Member States have been requesting WHO to expedite its process of getting accredited by the Green Climate Fund so that countries can then access funds for health adaptation through WHO.
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
4. Action framework in building health systems resilience to climate change General objective To provide a roadmap for implementing the Male’ Declaration on Building Health System Resilience to Climate Change.
Specific objectives 1. To provide a conceptual structure for Member States of the South-East Asia Region to develop national specific action plans; 2. To provide a platform for cross-sectoral collaboration, including to promote the engagement and contribution of global, regional and national development partners, academic and civil society organizations in supporting Member States of the Region in their effort to build health systems resilience to climate change, as well as for financial and technical resource mobilization.
Concept The operation time frame for this Framework is set at 5 years – between 2017 and 2022. With a set of indicators integrated, progress in implementing the Male’ Declaration and this Framework will be reported to the Seventy-fifth Regional Committee in 2022. Based on the WHO Operational framework for building climate-resilient health systems, the Framework describes four subjects for each of the 10 action components. 1. Deliverables after a 5-year timeline 2. Actions for Member States 3. Actions by WHO (country offices, regional office and headquarters) 4. Agreed approaches, which is the preferable method of working together
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Regional indicators Proposed indicators for this Framework were developed, in consultation with Member States, to be the agreed modality for monitoring the progress of implementation. The concept of meaningful and proxy indicators, as well as the alignment with SDG indicators, were applied to minimize the burden of reporting to Member States. 1. Number of countries with a designated focal point (individual/agency) on CC&H 2. Number of countries that have developed and implemented an HNAP 3. Number of countries with an HNAP integrated to the NAP 4. Number of countries that have updated health vulnerability and adaptation assessment 5. Number of countries with showcases of climate-resilient health-care facilities 6. Number of countries that have developed integrated disease surveillance and early warning for at least three CSD/conditions 7. Number of countries with a communication strategy to raise awareness on CC&H
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24 Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Table 4. Deliverables and actions Actions for countries • Strengthen CC&H unit with focal point and budge.t Actions for WHO • Provide training to CC&H focal points. Agreed methods • Seek global, regional and national experts as needed. • Engage all relevant sectors such as water, environment, agriculture, meteorology, emergency and relevant health programmes in the development of the HNAP. • Use local evidence, including vulnerability and adaptation assessment (V&A) findings, in preparing the HNAP. • Refer to WHO guidance on HNAP development. • Link HNAP development/ revision with national adaptation plan (NAP).
Components 1 Leadership and governance
Deliverables Competent and functional climate change and health (CC&H) unit in each country
Updated HNAP
• Develop coordinating platforms for CC&H focal point to other climate-sensitive programmes and health-determining sectors (such as water, environment, agriculture, energy). • Develop/revise health national adaptation plan (HNAP). • Provide guidance in development/ revision of the HNAP.
Actions for WHO • Continue advocacy on CC&H at global, regional and national levels. • Update regional training modules. • Develop effective communication tools.
Components Deliverables Actions for countries • Advocate on climate and health 2 Health workforce Health for policy-makers. professionals with better • Provide in-service training for awareness and selective health workforce on understanding CC&H. on CC&H (both at executive and operational levels) • Integrate climate and health modules in existing curricula/ courses such as community medicine and public health. • Develop and implement a CC&H communication strategy (awareness and advocacy). • Develop/update health vulnerability assessment. • Develop regional pool of expertise (individual/ institution) on climate and health. • Designate at least one regional institute as WHO collaborating centre on climate and health.
Agreed methods • Use regional training modules and adapt them into national modules as per need.
3 Vulnerability, capacity and adaptation assessment
Health V&A developed and reported for each country
• Use WHO guidance documents and expert judgement of local staff when data are not available. • Involve other ministries such as environment, water, agriculture, energy as needed.
Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
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Components 4 Integrated risk monitoring and early warning • Prepare health risk maps for the selected three CSDs. • Pilot-test early warning system for these CSDs.
Deliverables Early warning system developed, for at least three country-selected CSDs
Actions for countries • Prioritize at least three CSDs and develop integrated monitoring system with climate data.
Agreed methods • Learn from other countries that have already piloted such a system. • Work closely with meteorology units and CSD programmes.
Actions for WHO • Identify experts to support countries in analysis of health and climate data in order to develop/ strengthen early warning system.
5 Health and climate research
Climate and health research initiated in countries • Facilitate access to meteorological data and develop capacity for conducting research on health impacts and effectiveness of adaptation measures. • Establish/strengthen and support research networks, within and across country. • Integrate research dissemination in the broader communication strategy, including promoting research–policy linkage.
• Develop and implement effective risk communication strategy for the health issues of concer.n • Set up national research agenda on CC&H through participatory process. • Facilitate south– south cooperation on climate and health research or exchange of experience.
• Conduct research on effectiveness of adaptation and mitigation interventions. • Collaborate with academia and research institutes.
• Develop and support SEA Region CC&H research network.
• Prioritize research topic and conduct research process, with focus on the identified knowledge demands in policy process.
Components 6 Essential medical products and technologies • Work with responsible agencies for designing hospitals and health-care facilities.
Deliverables Actions for countries Vulnerability • Formulate and implement plans of of health-care action to promote climate-resilient facilities identified health facilities, including by countries (1) assess vulnerability of healthcare facilities to climate risks and implement interventions to make them resilient to climate change (retrofitting to make them safe from various climatic hazards such as flooding, storms); (2) ensure that new health-care facilities incorporate climate risks in their building design and siting is in safe areas; (3) implement sustainable and environment-friendly products and services in health-care facilities (water, waste management, locally grown food, renewal energy). • Promote measurement of the health sector carbon footprint and implement measures to reduce emissions and monitor progress, inter alia, as the role model to other sectors. • Document and disseminate the good practices in the • Work with hospital Region. or health-care facility maintenance to improve efficiency of energy, water and waste management. • Work with procurement units for drugs /equipment to encourage green procurement.
Actions for WHO • Develop a guidance tool for assessing the vulnerability of health-care facilities to climate change.
Agreed methods • Learn from countries that have already initiated green hospital concepts.
Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
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28 Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
Components 7 Management of environmental determinants of health •
Deliverables Integrated air quality monitoring developed
Actions for countries • Strengthen existing monitoring system for air quality and link with disease surveillance for promoting cross-sectoral action.
Agreed methods Partner with meteorology department as this is important for accessing climate and air quality data. Build on existing system of water quality monitoring, surveillance and water safety planning.
Water safety plan strengthened
• Strengthen water quality monitoring system and capacity.
Actions for WHO • Develop and promote the use of tools for integrated monitoring of air quality and health data. • Develop guidance for climate-resilient water safety plans. •
8 Climate-informed Climate risks programmes included in planning and implementation of CSD programmes • Develop preventive measures for those most at risk based on risk maps. • Ensure climate change risks are considered in the planning and implementation process of CSD control programmes.
• Implement climate-resilient water safety plans in both health-care facilities and communities. • Develop risk map for CSDs using geographical information systems (GIS). • Develop tools to advocate for climate change risks to various CSD programmes. • Support Member States to develop/ update risk maps for selected areas.
•
CC&H focal point should work closely with the CSD programmes and advocate for climate risks to be included, and ensure that adaptation measures are implemented.
Components 9 Emergency preparedness and management • Include climate risks in emergency preparedness and response plans for health facilities.
Deliverables Climate risks included in disaster risk management plans
Actions for countries • Include climate-sensitive health risks in national disaster risk reduction strategy or plans.
Actions for WHO • Liaise with WHO emergency team to include climate risks in their risk reduction plans and programmes.
Agreed methods • Organize a local-level coordination body involving community-based organizations, NGOs, and community groups to determine risks, prevent exposure and take action to save lives in extreme weather events.
10 Climate and health financing • Develop resource mobilization plan/strategy (domestic and external) with proactive role of the health sector. • Conduct sensitization and advocacy exercises within and outside the health sector for allocation of resources to address climate risks. • Develop quality CC&H proposals for development partners, preferably on co-financing basis.
Funds mobilized for adaptation and mitigation measures
• Prepare contingency plan for extreme weather event management. • Conduct needs assessment and resource monitoring exercises for CC&H.
• Identify co-benefits • Facilitate in working with CSD development of programmes, emergency regional/subregional/ programmes and healthcountry-specific determining sectors. proposals and submission to • WHO to follow up to potential funding become an accredited agencies. agency of Green Climate • Develop tool for Fund. tracking finance in climate and health work.
Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
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Framework for action in building health systems resilience to climate change in South-East Asia Region, 2017–2022
References 1. McMichael AJ. The urban environment and health in a world of increasing globalization: issues for developing countries. Bull World Health Organ. 2000;78 (9):1117–26. 2. Quantitative risk assessment of the effects of climate change on selected causes of death, 2030s and 2050s. Geneva: WHO; 2014 ( http://who.int/globalchange/publications/quantitativerisk-assessment/en/, accessed 31 May 2017). 3. Rohini P, Rajeevan M, Srivastava AK. On the variability and increasing trends of heat waves in India. Sci Rep. 2016;6:26153. 4. Dhimal M, O’Hara RB, Karki R, Thakur GD, Kuch U, Ahrens B. Spatio-temporal distribution of malaria and its association with climatic actors and vector-control interventions in two high-risk districts of Nepal. Malaria J. 2014;13:457. 5. Iqbal M, Rahaman MB, Smith W, Afreen M, Lusha MAF, Milton AH. Climate change and health in Bangladesh: a baseline cross sectional survey. Glob Health Action. 2016;9: 26909. 6. WHO/SEARO (2015): Review of climate change and health activities in SEARO Member States: synthesis report. New Delhi: WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia; 2015 (http:// www.searo.who.int/entity/water_sanitation/review-of-cc.pdf?ua=1, accessed 31 May 2017). 7. Operational framework for building climate-resilient health systems. Geneva: WHO; 2015 (http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/189951/1/9789241565073_eng.pdf, accessed 31 May 2017).
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This document has been prepared based on the information shared by Member States of the WHO South-East Asia region at a regional consultation which was held in Male’ Maldives from 14-15 May 2017 to prepare for a Ministerial Roundtable on building health systems resilience to climate change to be held during the 70th WHO/SEA regional Committee meeting. It presents summary of health impacts of climate change in the region and an update on health adaptation and mitigation measures undertaken by Member States. The document finally lays out the framework for action for implementing the Male’ Declaration on building health systems resilience to climate change which will be signed by Ministers of Health on 7 September 2017. These actions were prepared based on country needs and related international and regional agreements and commitments. Member States will implement the actions from 2017-2022.
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