Malawi is set to bolster its health system’s resilience to climate change impacts through a groundbreaking partnership between Seed Global Health (Seed) and The Rockefeller Foundation.
The initiative will introduce a streamlined, cost-effective Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment (VAA) toolkit, designed to help less-resourced countries rapidly generate actionable data for health system planning.
Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, emphasised the urgent need for climate-resilient health systems, noting the severe consequences of climate change on public health.
“The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue; it’s a full-blown health crisis. The very air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat are under threat. This is particularly devastating for vulnerable developing nations like ours,” said Chiponda.
Director of Health, Gerishom Gimaiyo, Africa Regional Office for The Rockefeller Foundation, echoed this sentiment, emphasising that climate change is already disrupting human life and straining healthcare systems.
“Evidence-based planning is essential to ensure health systems are equipped to respond effectively. The rapid VAA approach in Malawi will demonstrate how countries can quickly generate actionable data to guide timely decisions, build resilience, safeguard health, and protect lives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Seed Global Health Malawi Country Director, Anda Nyondo, expressed confidence in the toolkit’s potential to strengthen Malawi’s health sector.
“The VAA toolkit will equip Malawi to address more dynamic and integrated challenges, including climate resilience and integrated health workforce strategies. We are proud to receive support from The Rockefeller Foundation to assist Malawi’s Ministry of Health in its climate and health response efforts,” she said.
The partnership underscores the critical intersection of climate change and public health, reinforcing the need for urgent investments in adaptive health strategies.
By Joyful Paliani
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