The article discusses the detrimental effects of climate change on energy infrastructures of healthcare facilities in the Global South, leading to reduced healthcare quality and availability. It highlights effective resilience solutions to secure energy supply and presents findings from a study on the impacts of climate in Kenya, India, and Barbados, culminating in recommendations for stakeholders in the healthcare energy sector.
Climate change presents numerous threats to public health systems in the Global South, particularly through its adverse effects on the energy infrastructure of healthcare facilities. Consequently, these facilities may experience persistent or temporary energy shortages, leading to diminished quality and quantity of healthcare services available to populations in need.
To combat these challenges, there exist effective resilience solutions that can secure a sustainable energy supply for healthcare facilities amidst climate risks. These solutions encompass enhancing grid electricity, adopting decentralised clean energy resources, implementing energy efficiency measures, fortifying on-site energy systems, and optimizing health facility energy management. However, the effectiveness of specific approaches varies according to the unique risks confronting each country’s energy infrastructure.
This study draws upon data from Kenya, India, and Barbados to highlight the extent of climate-related impacts on these nations and the subsequent pressures on their healthcare energy systems. Based on the findings, three actionable recommendations are presented to stakeholders involved in ensuring reliable energy supply for healthcare establishment in the Global South.
The publication entitled “Climate Resilience and Powering Healthcare in the Global South” was produced by Sustainable Energy for All and Oxford Policy Management, with invaluable support from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). This pioneering research aims to analyze how diverse climate challenges disrupt energy availability in healthcare systems and what strategic actions institutions can undertake to bolster energy resilience against climatic threats.
The intersection of climate change and public health is increasingly critical, especially in developing regions known as the Global South. Healthcare facilities heavily depend on a stable energy supply, which is often compromised by extreme weather and climate effects. This urgent issue necessitates a focused exploration of the resilience measures available to maintain essential healthcare services despite environmental challenges, particularly as energy infrastructure vulnerability becomes more pronounced under changing climatic conditions.
In summary, climate change poses significant risks to energy supply in healthcare facilities across the Global South, leading to severe implications for public health services. Proven resilience strategies exist to address these challenges by enhancing energy security and efficiency. By employing tailored approaches specific to each region’s vulnerabilities, healthcare systems can significantly improve their preparedness against climate change, thereby ensuring sustained access to quality healthcare for communities in need.
Original Source: www.seforall.org
