Title:
Preparedness of Primary Health Care Facilities against Climate-Induced Health Effects in Bangladesh
Authors:
Nahar, Naznine
Place:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2025
PAGE:
viii, 52
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
Climate Change, Health System, Primary Health Care, Preparedness, Bangladesh
Abstract:
Climate change poses an escalating global health threat. Bangladesh, a nation highly vulnerable to climate change, experiences frequent climate-induced events that lead to substantial mortality, disease outbreaks, and damage to healthcare infrastructure. Primary healthcare (PHC) facilities, being the frontline and most accessible point of care, are crucial for community health and well-being. Therefore, strengthening PHCs climate resilience is imperative to ensure sustained health service delivery to communities. However, there is insufficient research assessing the capacity of PHCs services to effectively manage climate-induced health impacts. This study aimed to explore the preparedness of primary healthcare facilities in Bangladesh to respond to and manage climate-induced health effects. Specifically, it assessed climate preparedness using the WHO operational framework, identified key challenges and enabling factors for adaptation, and drew feasible recommendations to strengthen PHCs facilities for becoming resilient in face of climate change. Employing a case study approach, the study utilized mixed methods, including a literature review and key informant interviews. The findings reveal that despite of presence adequate policy framework, Bangladesh's primary healthcare system exhibits critical weaknesses across all components essential for an adaptive and climate-resilient health system. These operational gaps necessitate interventions such as the decentralization of health governance, enhanced capacity building for health professionals on climate change and health, significant investment in health infrastructure, and the development of sustainable funding mechanisms. Implementing these recommendations can significantly strengthen primary healthcare facilities, enabling them to respond more effectively to climate-induced health impacts and safeguard vulnerable populations.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute, VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
Bangladesh
Region:
South Asia
Training:
Master of Science in Public Health and Health Equity
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2025 Nahar
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
cl7uOyNR6o_20251216152631232.pdf