Battling Climate Threats: Nepal’s Health at Risk

Nepal faces escalating climate-related health risks due to rising temperatures and unpredictable precipitation patterns. The World Bank's "Nepal Climate and Health Vulnerability Assessment" emphasizes the need for robust adaptation measures to address increasing threats to nutrition, vector-borne and waterborne diseases, and extreme temperatures. Strengthening Nepal's health system through climate-smart infrastructure, improved governance, and capacity building is crucial for protecting public health.

Nestled in the Himalayas, Nepal is a beacon of natural beauty and cultural wealth. However, this landlocked nation now faces a formidable challenge: climate change. A recent report by the World Bank titled "Nepal Climate and Health Vulnerability Assessment" highlights the growing climate-related risks that threaten the health and well-being of its population. This comprehensive study sheds light on the urgent need for adaptation measures to safeguard public health in the face of rising temperatures, erratic precipitation patterns, and increased incidences of natural disasters.

Rising Temperatures and Unpredictable Precipitation

Nepal’s climate has always been varied, but recent trends show significant shifts that are cause for concern. Over the past three decades, temperatures have risen by 0.62°C, a seemingly small but impactful change. This increase has been most pronounced in the Central and Mid-Western regions, where extreme heat is becoming more common, especially during the warmer months of April to June. By the 2050s, these regions are expected to see even more days with temperatures soaring above 35°C, intensifying the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths.

Precipitation patterns have also become more unpredictable. The Far Western Region, in particular, is projected to experience some of the highest increases in rainfall during the monsoon months of June to August, with potential increases of up to 16.92% by the 2050s. Such changes heighten the risk of floods and landslides, especially in the lower-elevation areas and more populated provinces. These extreme weather events not only pose direct threats to human life but also disrupt agriculture, livelihoods, and access to essential services.

Health Risks on the Rise

Climate change exacerbates existing health vulnerabilities in Nepal, affecting nutrition, disease prevalence, and overall well-being. The report highlights several critical areas where health risks are increasing.

Nutrition Risks: As a country heavily reliant on agriculture, Nepal’s food security is tightly linked to its climate. Erratic weather patterns and increased incidences of droughts and floods threaten crop yields, particularly of staple crops like rice. Projections indicate that climate change could increase the population at risk of food insecurity by up to 30% by 2050. This is alarming in a country where nearly a third of the population already suffers from stunting, a severe form of malnutrition.

Vector-Borne Diseases: Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns create more favorable conditions for diseases such as malaria and dengue. The report estimates that by 2050, an additional 400,000 people could be at risk of dengue, with similar increases for malaria. This surge places an extra burden on Nepal’s already stretched health services, which must now adapt to new patterns of disease transmission.

Waterborne Diseases: Limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation, combined with frequent floods and landslides, makes Nepal’s population particularly vulnerable to waterborne diseases. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions, leading to more frequent outbreaks of diseases like cholera and diarrhea.

Extreme Temperatures: The dual threat of extreme heatwaves and cold waves continues to pose significant health risks. Projections indicate that heat-related mortality could increase dramatically, with the number of deaths per 100,000 people rising from 4 to 53 by the 2080s under high-emission scenarios. Cold waves, particularly in the Terai Lowlands, also contribute to increased morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly and children.

Strengthening Nepal’s Health System

The report underscores the importance of enhancing Nepal’s health system to better manage and mitigate these climate-related health risks. While significant strides have been made in health coverage, gaps remain in infrastructure, resource allocation, and the integration of climate-related information into health systems.

Key recommendations from the report include.

Establishing Climate-Smart Health Systems: This involves retrofitting existing healthcare facilities to withstand extreme weather events and integrating climate resilience into health planning and policy.

Improving Governance Coordination: Strengthening coordination between the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) and the Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE) is crucial. This also includes bridging gaps between federal, provincial, and local governments.

Harnessing Public-Private Partnerships: Mobilizing resources through public-private partnerships can enhance health service delivery and ensure adequate funding for climate adaptation initiatives.

Expanding Health Information Systems: Incorporating climate-related health risks into health information systems will improve early warning systems and preparedness for climate-related health emergencies.

Capacity Building: Developing training programs for policymakers and healthcare providers to effectively respond to climate-related health challenges is essential.

The "Nepal Climate and Health Vulnerability Assessment" provides a roadmap for building a more resilient health system capable of protecting Nepal’s population from the growing threats of climate change. As the impacts of climate change intensify, swift and coordinated action is needed to safeguard public health and ensure a sustainable future for all Nepalis.