Healthcare Workers Should Take Central Role in Climate Action.

Climate change is having a significant impact on public health in Kenya, with rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events leading to a range of health challenges, including waterborne diseases (malaria, dengue fever, and cholera), malnutrition, mental health diseases and respiratory illnesses. In this context, healthcare workers have a critical role to play in addressing the health impacts of climate change and advancing climate action.

Healthcare workers are on the front of responding to the health impacts of climate change. As such, they can play an important role in raising awareness on climate change and its health impacts among their patients and communities.

Care providers should raise as advocates for policies and practices that support climate action (SDG 13). They can work with their professional associations and government agencies to promote policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote climate-resilient health systems. In addition, service providers should champion for public health initiatives that support climate action, such as improving access to clean water and reducing air pollution.

Furthermore, healthcare workers can lead by example by adopting sustainable practices in their workplaces. For example, they can reduce their energy consumption, switch to renewable energy sources, and minimize waste in their clinics and hospitals.

In conclusion, healthcare workers have a crucial role to play in addressing the public health threats posed by climate change in Kenya. By raising awareness, advocating for policies and practices that support climate action, and leading by example, healthcare workers can make a significant contribution to building climate-resilient health systems and protecting the health of communities. They need to be provided with the necessary tools and resources that will enable them to take this role. This includes training on climate change and its impacts on health, and access to information and resources on best practices for mitigating and adapting to climate change.