Empowering the healthcare workforce for a climate-resilient future
Strengthening healthcare workforce resilience in a changing climate
This comprehensive report, which is a result of a dynamic collaboration between Deloitte US and Project HOPE, emphasises the urgency of adapting our healthcare systems to the ever-growing threats posed by shifts in weather patterns. How can the healthcare workforce act as a critical component of these systems and present effective strategies to enhance their resilience in the face of weather-related events?
The report underscores the pressing need to adapt our healthcare systems to withstand the increasing threats posed by weather-related events. The focus is not merely limited to strengthening the resilience of healthcare systems, such as supply chains, service delivery, governance, and financing, but extends significantly towards reinforcing the workforce, which forms an integral component of these systems.
Key Highlights:
- Healthcare workforce - A critical pillar for health system resilience: Frontline healthcare workers play a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of health systems. They provide essential patient care and, when empowered with adequate resources and training, can adapt to emerging health threats, innovatively solve problems and ensure quality care, even in the face of climate-induced disruptions.
- Changes in weather patterns impact on global health: Changes in weather patterns exacerbate negative health impacts and differences, threatening individual health, community safety, and health system effectiveness. It disrupts service delivery, complicates supply chains, and hinders healthcare professionals' ability to provide optimal care.
- Human and economic costs of extreme weather events: A recent report projected that by 2050, extreme weather events could lead to an additional 14.5 million deaths and US$12.5 trillion in economic losses worldwide. If left unaddressed, these losses may exceed US$175 trillion by 2070.
- Increasing focus on healthcare workforce resilience: Healthcare workers are members of communities affected by weather-related events while also providing care for patients affected by conditions resulting from or exacerbated by climate events. They require tools, support, and structures to manage these challenges effectively.
To address these challenges, the report outlines various strategies for building a climate-resilient healthcare workforce. These include providing healthcare staff and management with tools, support and structures to manage these challenges effectively, educating and equipping workers to navigate climate-related challenges, ensuring adequate resources and processes for quality care and worker safety, and fostering a culture of contribution that encourages curiosity, creativity and innovation.
In conclusion, the report calls upon each stakeholder—governments, donors, multilateral organisations, the private sector, academia, media, and individuals—to help empower the healthcare workforce for a climate-resilient future. Collective action is crucial to drive swifter and more impactful progress in safeguarding the wellbeing of those most at risk from shifts in weather patterns.
Contacts
Elizabeth Baca, MD, MPA Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Uche Ralph-Opara, MBBS, MBA, MPH, Chief Health Officer, Project HOPE
Andrea Dunne-Sosa, MPH, Senior Regional Director, Project HOPE
