Climate change risks public health systems in the Global South primarily through disruptions to healthcare facilities’ energy infrastructure, leading to reduced healthcare quality. Proven resilience solutions include improving grid electricity, diversifying energy sources, and enhancing energy efficiency. The study highlights these challenges with data from Kenya, India, and Barbados and offers actionable recommendations.
Climate change presents significant threats to public health systems in the Global South, particularly through its detrimental effects on the energy infrastructure of healthcare facilities. Climate shocks lead to both temporary and permanent energy shortages, resulting in decreased healthcare services’ availability and quality.
To combat these challenges, several proven solutions exist that can enhance the resilience of energy supply for healthcare facilities. Recommendations include improving grid electricity resilience, utilizing diversified and decentralized clean energy sources, implementing energy efficiency technologies, and developing comprehensive operational plans for energy use in health facilities. Each solution’s applicability is contingent upon the unique risks faced by different countries and individual facilities.
This study utilizes data from Kenya, India, and Barbados to illustrate the varying climate impacts on these countries, highlighting the strain on their healthcare energy systems. It culminates in three actionable recommendations for stakeholders engaged in enhancing energy provision to healthcare in the Global South.
The document “Climate Resilience and Powering Healthcare in the Global South” is a collaborative effort by Sustainable Energy for All and Oxford Policy Management, supported by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). Notably, this study represents the first attempt to analyze how disparate climate impacts hinder energy supply and increase healthcare facilities’ energy demands. Moreover, it puts forth concrete actions for both facilities and governments to bolster the resilience of healthcare energy infrastructures against climate risks.
The intersection of climate resilience and healthcare in the Global South is a critical concern as climate change exacerbates vulnerabilities within public health systems. The energy infrastructure of healthcare facilities is particularly susceptible to extreme weather events, which can disrupt operations and diminish service quality. Understanding the scope and impact of these disruptions is essential for developing effective resilience strategies.
In conclusion, strengthening the energy infrastructure of healthcare facilities in the Global South against climate risks is imperative for maintaining quality health services. Effective resilience measures, tailored to specific regional needs, can facilitate sustainable energy supply and support public health systems in adapting to ongoing climate challenges. The insights drawn from this study provide a foundation for future action and collaboration in this essential area.
Original Source: www.seforall.org
