Assessing the Preparedness and Adaptability of Health Facilities and Health Workers to Respond to Impacts of Climate Change-Related Disasters In Uganda.

Study Site: Kasese and Yumbe Districts, Uganda

Climate change has increased the health risks in Uganda, including vector-borne diseases and natural disasters. These challenges threaten critical aspects of health facilities' functioning, such as workforce, sanitation, energy, and infrastructure. Uganda has 6,937 health facilities comprising hospitals and health centers. Kasese District, a disaster-prone district, has 117 health facilities, whereas Yumbe District, a refugee-affected district, has 39. This research examines the readiness of Ugandan health facilities and workers in Kasese and Yumbe districts to manage climate-induced impacts, exploring readiness factors, health worker perspectives, and current mitigation measures to enhance resilience against climate-related health risks.

This project directly addresses disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation by examining the resilience of health facilities and health workers to climate change impacts, aiming to identify gaps and opportunities for strengthening Uganda's health sector against climate-related challenges. This study aims to give recommendations based on evidence to improve the resilience of health infrastructure and health workers in Uganda, thereby contributing to more effective disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation initiatives. Local governments, district health departments, and the Ministry of Health can use the findings to address vulnerabilities in these communities.

Main Research Questions

  • What is the level of awareness among health workers about the impacts of climate change-related disasters on public health?
  • What is the current level of preparedness and adaptability of health facilities to respond to the impacts of climate change-related disasters on public health?
  • What are the factors that facilitate or hinder the preparedness and adaptability of health facilities to respond to the impacts of climate change-related disasters on public health?