How do we build sustainable and resilient healthcare systems?

• Date: Tuesday 21 November, 2023.
• Time: 13.30–15.30 CET (Registration opens at 13.00). Mingle for physical participants after the event.
• Location: Sida, Ursvik Entré, Rissneleden 110, Sundbyberg and livestreamed on Youtube
• Registration: Registration for physical participation is open until Monday 20 November.
• Hosted by: Sida, the World Health Organization, WHO and Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare, NCSH.

Register for the event through the Apsis website

This year’s UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai is the first ever to dedicate a whole day to climate change and health (3^rd December). In this Development Talk crucial actors working with these issues are brought together the week before COP 28 to discuss actions and investments that are needed in the context of low- and middle-income countries.

There is an intricate relationship between climate change and public health.

Climate change and environmental problems are a root cause of a significant burden of death, disease and disability. WHO has assessed that climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050, which will affect the poorest and most disadvantaged the most. Disadvantaged communities are the most vulnerable. Considering this, health care systems all over the world will need to develop resilience to climate change-related events.

At the same time health care systems it is also a source of carbon dioxide emissions, environmental pollution and ill-health. About 15% of the waste generated by health-care activities is considered hazardous material that may be infectious, hazardous chemicals or radioactive. Health care systems need to reduce waste and incorporate green energy to mitigate climate change and pollution and to be able to meet the increasing and diversifying health needs.

What does a sustainable and climate-resilient health system look like? What is required to achieve sustainable and climate-resilient health systems in the context of low- and middle-income countries? How can donors, young people, civil society, UN, the private sector, researchers and governments contribute? What decisions need to be taken at COP28 to succeed? These are question that this Development Talk will explore.

Welcome to join physically or online!

The physical event will be followed by a mingle, to enable connections, exchange of knowledge and cooperation between the participants.

Louise Herrmann, Lead Policy Specialist Climate Change, Environment and Biodiversity, Sida

• Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Head, Climate Change and Health Unit, WHO Headquarters: Climate change and health: What is the problem and why do we need to focus on health systems?
• Diego Angelino, Director International Programs, Nordic Centre for Sustainable Health Care: Grønnköpingkið: The World’s Greenest Hospital

• Prof. Magaly Blas, Director, Mamás del Rio program, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru
• Khusbu Poudel, Program Coordinator for Climate Justice, Gender and SRHR, Ipas Nepal

• Prisca Chisala, Director of Programs and Development, Malawi Red Cross Society
• Dr. Jan Semenza, Institution for Public Health and Clinic Medicine, Department for Sustainable Health, University of Umeå
• Omnia El Omrani, first official Youth Envoy for the President of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference
• Ulla Müller, Director, UNFPA Nordic Representation Office

• Lusiana Biumaiwai, Climate Change and Health, Ministry of Health, Fiji
• Misganaw Tewachew, Focal point Climate Change and Health, Ministry of Health, Ethiopia
• Mattias Frumerie, Sweden’s Climate Ambassador
• Maria Neira, Department Head, Health, Environment and Climate Change, WHO Headquarters

Moderators:
Sarah Thomsen, Lead Policy Specialist Health and SRHR, Sida
Jamie Smith, Senior Policy Specialist, Sida