Accra, Ghana// – The latest World Bank report called for urgent action to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s health system against the adverse effects of climate change.
The report, titled “Climate and Health Vulnerability Assessment (CHVA) for Ghana” launched in Accra today identifies gaps and risks to the country’s health sector.
It also recommended strong policy actions and provided valuable insights into the capacity to adapt to climate-related shocks in the West African country.
Speaking at the launch, lead author of the report and Head of the Department, of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Professor Mawuli Dzodzomenyo noted: “The CHVA and research on climate change and health also contributes to the development of climate-resilient health systems. By analyzing vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities, decision-makers can identify areas for improvement and allocate resources effectively”.
He also disclosed that; “Over half of known human pathogenic diseases can be aggravated by climate change” and urged the Ghanaian government to marshal resources to address the climate crisis.
The World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Robert Taliercio said: “The Government of Ghana is ahead of the curve in thinking about the potential impacts of climate change on health and we encourage further work across sectors on this important challenge.”
“The World Bank has changed its mission to Ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity on a livable planet. A healthy population is the cornerstone of prosperity. Therefore, implementing adaptation and mitigation measures is crucial to address current challenges and prevent further adversities”.
Giving the overview of the report, the Sustainable Development Program Leader at the World Bank Ghana Office, Madam Naila Ahmed, explained that the report delves into the multifaceted dimensions of climate change impacts on health, recognizing both the direct and indirect effects that permeate various aspects of life.
From the increased frequency of extreme weather events to the complex web of climate-sensitive infectious diseases, the report meticulously examines the vulnerabilities faced by communities across Ghana, she added.
FINDINGS
One of the key highlights of the findings is the stark vulnerability of certain sub-populations, including the elderly, women, children, and those living in rural areas.
These individuals are disproportionately affected by the adverse health outcomes exacerbated by climate change, further deepening existing socio-economic disparities.
According to the report, climate change in Ghana is causing extreme weather events like floods and droughts, leading to food insecurity, injuries, and the risk of death for 2 million people. The report notes that Ghana is highly vulnerable, especially to illnesses like malaria and diarrhoea disease.
It also points out that health issues related to heat, air pollution, and infectious diseases are on the rise with the elderly, youth, and children being particularly vulnerable.
Furthermore, the CHVA for Ghana underscored that Ghana’s climate varies in temperature and rainfall, with projections showing decreased rainfall and higher temperatures.
Over the past 50 years, the country has experienced 22 major climate events, affecting millions with droughts, floods, wildfires, and storms.
The CHVA examines the potential impact on the health of increased heat, as well as expanded infectious diseases.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The report makes several policy recommendations over the short- to medium term-to address adaptive capacity gaps in Ghana, including:
- Implementing a 10-year plan to make Ghana’s health sector resilient to climate change and integrating its objectives and activities into other relevant sectors.
- Planning for the health workforce to meet needs across urban and rural areas in climate data collection for adaptation.
- Enhancing the coverage of climate-sensitive conditions in health information systems and periodically conducting national and sub-national climate and health vulnerability assessments, expanding coverage of climate-sensitive health conditions in routine systems, and timely promoting research, analyses, and surveillance data.
- Upgrading health facilities with climate-smart codes and ensuring consistent availability of drugs and equipment for climate-sensitive infectious diseases.
- Undertaking multi-sectoral actions to improve determinants of health and continue implementing and improving programs to control and build an effective emergency communication system.
- Providing sustained and holistic health and climate change financing and monitoring climate-related health expenditures in line with policy commitments.
Moreover, the assessment underscored the critical importance of strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure, enhancing workforce capacity, and integrating climate considerations into health policies and programs.
