ACCESS Health International was the co-initiator, alongside Joep Lange Institute for the recently concluded Primary Health Care (PHC) Forum organised by the Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI) in Jakarta on the 13th and 14th of November 2023.
The ACCESS Health team was represented at the Forum by Dr Krishna Reddy Nallamalla, President- Asia; Dr Uma Aysola, Director, Communications, Relations and Partnerships; and Ms Iman Hameed, Senior Consultant.
The team organized a Competence Forum with the topic “Preparing the Global South/LMICs for the Fight Against Climate Change” which discussed the impact of climate change on health and non-health determinants, emerging and social needs, the adaptation of communities to climate change, and their active participation in decision-making that impacts their lives and livelihood.
The Forum consisted of 2 panel discussions that were moderated by Ms Hameed and Dr Reddy respectively. Dr Aysola laid the foundation for both of the sessions by introducing the sessions and panels. Through the two panel discussions, we gathered the thoughts and insights of 7 speakers.
Here are some of the key insights from the two sessions:
- Community involvement is key to co-designing the healthcare system in preparation for climate change.
- Communities are not homogenous; adaptation plans must define their environment and characteristics to tackle their unique challenges.
- Planning for climate adaptation must be led by indigenous communities.
- Planning frameworks for climate resilience should be designed to be adaptable to local contexts.
- Healthcare financing should factor in climate change impact to build back stronger, secure, and resilient health systems.
- It is crucial to address vulnerabilities in healthcare infrastructure, including digital infrastructure’s susceptibility to natural and other disasters.
- Health systems’ transformative efforts should align with the One Health approach.
Apart from the Forum, Dr Reddy was also invited to be a panellist in a discussion on “Resilient People and Communities”. The panel discussion delved into the power of co-creation in community-led intervention as well as how beyond just participation, communities can act as architects of the co-implementation of tools and interventions and also maintain social accountability.
Here are some of the key insights from the panel discussion:
- Community needs to be involved in co-designing the healthcare system in preparation for climate change
- Finances being deployed for building back stronger, secure, and resilient health systems should take into consideration the impact of climate change to ensure effective deployment
- There is a need to address vulnerabilities of healthcare provider infrastructure including digital infrastructure to natural and other disasters
- The ongoing health systems’ transformative efforts should align with the One Health concept