Research Initiative RESHAPE Aims to Strengthen Healthcare Resilience Against Climate Change

A new £3 million research initiative, RESHAPE, is underway to assess the impact of climate change on global healthcare systems. The collaboration involves researchers from multiple countries working to develop resilience strategies in response to extreme weather events affecting healthcare delivery. Key locations include Malawi, Vietnam, Tanzania, and Uganda, where severe climate conditions threaten healthcare availability. Dr. Brahim Herbane, leading the project from De Montfort University Leicester, emphasizes the need for effective mitigation strategies and aims to establish international healthcare resilience standards through this research.

Researchers have initiated a groundbreaking study aimed at examining the influence of climate change on the resilience of healthcare systems globally. This £3 million initiative, aptly named RESHAPE – RESilience in HeAlth Post-Extreme weather events, unites scholars and communities from various nations to investigate the responses of hospitals and healthcare providers to environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change. The research team is conducting fieldwork in Malawi, Vietnam, Tanzania, and Uganda, regions that are experiencing an increased number of extreme weather events threatening the availability of essential healthcare services for millions. Dr. Brahim Herbane from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is leading the business continuity aspect of the project and will engage with local partners and stakeholders throughout the research. He stated, “The premise is that the effects of climate change are increasing, and we are seeing more extreme weather events which will then impact on healthcare. The research looks at how healthcare systems currently mitigate those impacts and how we can co-create more resilient systems.” In his previous visit to Malawi, Dr. Herbane encountered the severe realities that climate change imposes, noting the challenges faced when heavy rains disrupted community meetings and flooded healthcare facilities. He reflected, “To witness a torrent of water running through a hospital building and a flooded operating theatre served as a reminder of why this research project will be beneficial to vulnerable communities.” This research, spearheaded by the University of East Anglia (UEA), seeks to shed light on the difficulties faced by healthcare systems and the effective methods that can be adopted to alleviate severe impacts from climate change. Dr. Herbane expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of the project, stating, “Ultimately, we want to develop a new international standard for healthcare system resilience and to reshape healthcare resilience policy.” Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) with UK Government international development resources, this collaborative research involves several institutions, including Kamuza University of Health Sciences, Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Hanoi University of Public Health. The project’s multifaceted approach aims not only to fortify healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries but to extract valuable lessons from their experiences, subsequently informing resilience strategies worldwide.

The escalating impact of climate change has raised significant concerns regarding the stability and effectiveness of healthcare systems across the globe. Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent, adversely affecting the delivery of healthcare services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to analyze how different regions are coping with these challenges and to co-develop strategies that can enhance healthcare system resilience in the face of climate-related disasters. The findings are expected to inform policy changes and international standards related to healthcare resilience, benefiting both affected communities and broader global health strategies.

In summary, the RESHAPE project constitutes an essential investigation into the effects of climate change on healthcare system resilience across various global communities. By engaging directly with impacted regions and collecting data on their adaptive strategies, the research team aims to provide comprehensive solutions to mitigate the worst impacts of extreme weather events. Through international collaboration and funding, this initiative holds promise for improving health outcomes in vulnerable areas and establishing new standards for resilience in healthcare services.

Original Source: www.dmu.ac.uk