Lao PDR health and environment experts explore ways to enhance climate-resilient healthcare facilities nationwide

Senior healthcare professionals and environmental experts met this week in Paksong District Hospital, Champasack Province, to discuss approaches and actions to reinforce the climate resilience of the country's health system.

“Lao PDR is projected to experience more extreme weather, a 10–30% increase in rainy season rainfall and temperature increases of 2–3 °C by 2050,” said Mme Baykham Khattiya, Minister of Health. “Health system is unfortunately vulnerable – it is vital we strengthen the resilience to climate impacts, and ensure it is ready to support those in need.”

Convened by the Lao Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) Lao PDR and Save the Children International in Laos (SCI) with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the primary focus was sharing successful experiences and practical lessons from Paksong District Hospital and others who have improved their climate readiness.

Additionally, the event served as a platform to explore insights from Lao PDR’s “Safe-Clean-Green and Climate Resilient Healthcare Facilities Initiative”. The initiative has seen more than 125 health facilities supported nationwide to introduce processes and technologies to enhance resilience to worsening climate conditions and extreme weather events.

 “Adaptation to a changing climate has become integral to the work of strengthening the health system,” said Dr Christopher Fitzpatrick, WHO Lao PDR’s Deputy Representative.

“Resilience begins with practical and sustainable solutions that ensure continuity of safe, quality care, even amid extreme weather events. WHO is committed to supporting the Government in building a health system that delivers health for all, in all conditions.”

The workshop brought together diverse stakeholders, including Ministry of Health officials, healthcare workers, key representatives from provincial and district agencies and hospitals – particularly from climate-vulnerable Champasack, Savannakhet, Xekong, Salavanh and Attapeu provinces – and development partners.

“This opportunity marks a crucial acceleration of national efforts to systematically strengthen the capacity of health care facilities. Through the Safe-Clean-Green and climate resilient initiative, we are advancing not only infrastructure, but also staff competencies, management systems, and sustainable practices. This comprehensive approach ensures health services are better equipped to withstand the growing threats posed by climate change and to deliver safer, cleaner, and greener care for all,” said Dr Oyuntogos Lkhasuren, WHO Lao PDR’s Climate and Environment Team Lead.

“Key activities included hands-on site visits at Paksong District Hospital, where participants engaged with improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems, health care waste management—including green and no-burning technologies—energy-saving practices, and infection prevention and control. Each of these components has been systematically designed or adapted to address climatic challenges and promote environmental sustainability at the facility level.”

“The health and safety of Lao PDR depends entirely on the resilience of the health system,” said Kuber Adhikari, Health System Advisor, SCI Laos.

“Climate change places immense strain on the health sector, and the opportunity to highlight the importance of environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient systems is invaluable.”

 The outcomes of this workshop directly inform and reinforce the implementation of the Green Climate Fund-supported project, “Strengthening Climate Resilience of the Lao PDR Health System”. With GCF investment and the collaboration of the Ministry of Health, WHO, SCI, and key development partners, Lao PDR is embarking on a transformative, nationwide effort to build climate-resilient health care facilities and systems—especially in the most vulnerable districts and communities.

The next key actions will focus on scaling up proven Safe-Clean-Green and climate-resilient practices to 100 targeted district hospitals and health centers across 25 districts, upgrading infrastructure in 79 facilities, and strengthening the capacity of health workers and communities to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate-related health risks. These efforts will be accompanied by the rollout of new climate-resilient policies, enhanced early warning and health information systems, and robust community engagement. By leveraging the GCF project as a catalyst, Lao PDR aims to create a model for climate-resilient health care that can be replicated nationwide and serve as an example for the region.