Strengthen resilience of health system – World Bank
By Isaac AIDOO, Accra
A new World Bank report has 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, identifies gaps and risks to the country’s health sector, while recommending policy actions and providing valuable insights into the capacity to adapt to climate-related shocks.
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.
“These individuals are disproportionately affected by the adverse health outcomes exacerbated by climate change, further deepening existing socio-economic disparities. Moreover, the assessment underscores the critical importance of strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure, enhancing workforce capacity, and integrating climate considerations into health policies and programmes,” Sustainable Development Programme Leader at the World Bank, Naila Ahmed.
She urged stakeholders to embrace the findings and recommendations of the report with a sense of urgency and purpose.
“Together, let us embark on a journey towards building a climate-resilient health sector that prioritizes the well-being of all Ghanaian citizens, especially the most vulnerable,” Naila appealed
“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 not only to address current challenges but also to prevent further adversities,” said Robert Taliercio World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
“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,” he added.
