This WHO project supports Mozambique to strengthen the climate resilience of its National Health System, enabling it to better prepare for, cope with, and manage the health risks posed by climate change.
The problem
Mozambique is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the impacts of climate variability and long-term climate change due to its geographical location in the inter-tropical convergence zone; its widespread poverty; the climate sensitivity of its main socio-economic activities; and its overstretched public services and infrastructure.
Mozambique’s prevailing high disease burden is dominated by climate-sensitive disease that disproportionally affect rural population, women and children. Recurrent epidemics of climate-sensitive disease, such as Malaria, Cholera, and Measles, put further pressure on already overwhelmed health services.
These vulnerabilities, combined with poor adaptive capacity of the health system and a lack of investment in training and advanced technology, are manifest in current poor national health outcomes. Climate models project that Mozambique will experience higher temperatures, delayed onset of the rainy season in some regions, and an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, all of which will exacerbate existing challenges within the national health system.
The goal
The goal of the project is to strengthen the climate resilience of Mozambique’s National Health System, enabling it to better prepare for, cope with and manage the health risks posed by climate variability and change. These efforts will ensure that essential functions of health systems are less vulnerable to climate and sustained improvements in population health outcomes are achieved despite an unstable climate. This goal will be achieved through on-the-ground interventions and policy-level actions, under three objectives, as described below.
The project
The four-year project, initiated in 2018,works in three tiers to achieve the following objectives:
Objective 1: To improve Ministry of Health (MoH) capacity to coordinate and lead efforts on Health Adaptation to Climate Change
This project will build the human and institutional capacity and policy foundation to enable the MoH to lead on climate change and health at the country level. It will enable the MoH work with other sectors and communities to ensure population health becomes more resilient to adverse climate change impacts.
Objective 2: To improve understanding and monitor climate change risks and climate impacts on population's health outcome and health care delivery
This project will ensure that critical information and evidence is timeously available and targeted to inform short-, mid- and long-term health decisions and planning needs regarding the delivery of health interventions and health care services that are climate-resilient.
Objective 3: To build climate resilience in health service delivery
This project will ensure that climate risks are vertically and transversally addressed and managed in relevant health policies, strategies, plans and programmes. It will also ensure that action protocols exist to respond to extreme weather such that health services’ quality and coverage are maintained despite short-, mid- and long-term climate threats.
Partners
The project will be funded by the Government of Flanders. WHO-Mozambique is the implementing agency for this project, in cooperation with:
- Ministry of Health
- National Institute of Health (INS)
- National Meteorological Institute (INAM)
- National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC)
- Universidade Eduardo Mondlane
- University of Oslo
- WHO/WMO Health and Climate Office.
The future
This new initiative marks a significant step towards a more resilient future for Mozambique. Above and beyond the specific project objectives, this project will significantly contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 and SDG 13, and key country development priorities. The human and institutional capacity built within Ministry of Health, including policy improvement, multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms, and the ability to combat immediate and long-term climate risks, will continue to provide benefits in health decision-making and programming beyond the lifespan of this project.