Uganda Launches Health Adaptation Plan to Tackle Climate Change Challenges

Uganda’s Ministry of Health unveiled its Climate Change Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP), a strategic initiative to enhance the resilience of the nation’s health system against the impacts of climate change.

Adapting to climate change is costly, with Africa projected to require up to $2.8 trillion by 2030 to meet its Paris Agreement commitments, according to the African Development Bank. Uganda's H-NAP, a vital part of this effort, will need an estimated $63 million by 2030.

The plan, launched at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala by Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Isanga Nakadama, is a significant step in Uganda’s response to the escalating climate crisis, particularly in the health sector. It highlights the urgent need to address climate-related health issues and build a robust, resilient health system.

As a signatory to global agreements like the UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, and Kyoto Protocol, Uganda is committed to tackling climate change. The government has implemented supportive policies, including the National Climate Change Policy (2015), Climate Change Act (2021), and Vision 2040.

Rukia Nakadama commended the Ministry of Health and its partners for developing the H-NAP. She emphasized that the government would integrate climate resilience into the Parish Development Model, which aims to improve household incomes and welfare through community-driven development.

“Climate change interventions must be integrated into the Parish Development Model. The National Development Plan III and the newly developed National Development Plan IV highlight climate change as a cross-cutting issue requiring mainstreaming across all sectors,” said Hon. Nakadama.

Uganda’s H-NAP, based on the latest climate science, identifies critical areas for enhancing resilience, aiming to bolster the adaptive capacity of the health system to face climate change-related hazards.

William Asiko, Vice President for Africa at The Rockefeller Foundation, noted, “Climate change is now the greatest threat to the health and well-being of billions worldwide. To address this, we must innovate, rethink, and adapt our health systems to meet these challenges.”

Uganda faces significant health challenges exacerbated by climate change, including high rates of malaria, limited access to safe water, inadequate sanitation, and pollution-related deaths. These issues highlight the critical need for the H-NAP to address these interconnected problems and strengthen the health system.

Dr. Christine Musanhu, Acting WHO Representative in Uganda, stressed the importance of taking timely measures to protect public health and build a resilient future. “Climate change is not just an environmental issue but a profound threat to health, well-being, and development,” she said.

The H-NAP, aligned with the WHO Climate Resilient Health Systems Framework, focuses on creating a low-carbon health system capable of anticipating, responding to, and recovering from climate-related shocks while minimizing environmental impacts.

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, called for collaboration across sectors to ensure the successful implementation of the H-NAP. “The strength of our partnerships will determine the success of the National Adaptation Plan,” he said.

Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda’s Minister of Health, emphasized that future health infrastructure projects would be designed to withstand the impacts of climate change. “We will also address greenhouse gas emissions by introducing solar lighting and refrigeration where applicable,” she added.

Alfred Okot Okidi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment, highlighted the importance of protecting communities from climate change impacts and called on all citizens to take responsibility for mitigating these risks.

Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean at Makerere University School of Public Health, expressed commitment to supporting Uganda’s climate adaptation efforts through research and evidence-based solutions.

Uganda’s H-NAP, covering ten components, aims to build a climate-resilient health system capable of delivering quality care while protecting present and future generations from the health impacts of climate change.

Mrs. Margaret Mwebesa Othieno, Commissioner of Climate Change at the Ministry of Water and Environment, praised the Ministry of Health’s involvement in climate adaptation. “Uganda is the second country, after Nepal, to develop a Health National Adaptation Plan,” she noted.

Nakadama urged development partners and stakeholders to support the H-NAP's implementation at both national and local levels. She committed her office to leading efforts to mobilize the population towards climate-resilient systems.

“The Office of the Prime Minister will coordinate multisectoral engagements and create awareness of the Climate Change Health Adaptation Plan,” she concluded.