Seed Global Health has partnered with The Rockefeller Foundation to enhance health resilience in Malawi against climate change through a vulnerability and adaptation assessment (VAA) toolkit. This initiative aims to generate actionable health strategies, improve crisis response, and serve as a model for other nations facing similar challenges. Key stakeholders emphasize the urgency of addressing climate impacts on health systems in Malawi.
Seed Global Health recently announced a partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation to tackle the health challenges posed by climate change in Malawi. Their initiative aims to create a vulnerability and adaptation assessment (VAA) tool, making it affordable and accessible for nations with limited resources. This toolkit is intended to enhance the resilience of Malawi’s health systems against the adverse effects of climate change, while also serving as a model for other similar countries.
The primary objective involves developing a pilot VAA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Malawi. This tailored approach will help formulate adaptation strategies for Malawi’s National Health Adaptation Plan and provide meaningful insights that could be replicated in other nations facing equivalent climate challenges.
Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda emphasized the gravity of the climate crisis, noting its direct impact on health systems. “The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue; it’s a full-blown health crisis,” she stated. Chiponda emphasized that investing in climate-resilient health systems is essential for identifying risks and prioritizing interventions, thereby protecting both present and future generations.
In 2023, Cyclone Freddy exacerbated Malawi’s health challenges, causing cholera outbreaks that affected over 2.2 million people and strained healthcare resources. The crisis highlighted existing vulnerabilities in Malawi’s health system, including a shortage of skilled healthcare workers and infrastructure disruptions.
Gerishom Gimaiyo, Director of Health for The Rockefeller Foundation in Africa, highlighted the need for evidence-based planning to fortify health systems. “Climate change is disrupting every facet of human life, significantly harming health,” he noted, underscoring the urgency of the VAA initiative. This approach aims to provide timely data that can aid decision-making and enhance the country’s resilience against health crises.
Anda Nyondo, Country Director of Seed Global Health in Malawi, expressed pride in the partnership, marking the VAA toolkit as instrumental in addressing evolving climate and health challenges. “The VAA toolkit will equip Malawi to address more dynamic and integrated challenges,” she affirmed, reinforcing Seed’s commitment to long-term investments in health systems to ensure equity and resilience against future pandemics.
The partnership between Seed Global Health and The Rockefeller Foundation represents a significant step towards bolstering health systems in Malawi against climate change. By developing a vulnerability and adaptation assessment toolkit, they aim to enhance resilience, improve health outcomes, and provide a model for other vulnerable nations. This initiative highlights the urgent need for targeted investments in health systems to address both environmental and health-related crises effectively.
Original Source: www.rockefellerfoundation.org
