The Pacific Islands are among the most vulnerable regions to climate change and the need for climate-resilient healthcare systems has been the focus of the 29th UN Climate Conference.
Pacific countries such as Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands, with their low-lying geography and scattered islands, face increasing threats from rising sea levels and extreme weather.
WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, said investing in climate-resilient health facilities is not a luxury, but a lifeline.
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He emphasized that the financing does not meet the unique challenges faced by small island developing States.
At a COP29 event in Baku, Azerbaijan, he presented the WHO’s five-year regional vision, which prioritizes strengthening health systems to address climate risks and emergencies.
In the Pacific, healthcare facilities are particularly vulnerable, with 62 percent of hospitals in 14 Pacific island states located within 500 meters of coastlines or rivers.
Rising sea levels, which are expected to rise 10 to 30 percent faster in the Pacific than the global average, threaten to inundate these facilities, disrupt services and endanger food security and mental health.
Dr. Piukala compared the region’s approach to the art of weaving, where collective efforts strengthen the system.
This includes not only building infrastructure, but also improving early warning systems for disease outbreaks, adopting green technologies and ensuring that healthcare services remain accessible during crises.
Regional leaders and youth advocates also emphasized the importance of partnerships at COP29.