Climate Change and Healthcare Access in Africa

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how climate change is straining healthcare systems and access in East and West Africa. From rising disease burdens to damaged infrastructure, the challenges are clear. But progress is being made, and new strategies are emerging. This follow-up article seeks to discuss some recent developments, persistent gaps, and what could be needed to make the healthcare adaptations a reality in developing nations.

Progress in The Pipelines

Uganda’s H-NAP

In the previous article, we lightly discussed some aspects of Uganda’s Climate Change Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP). Launched in 2024, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation and the World Health Organisation (WHO), The H-NAP focuses on training healthcare workers, integrating climate data into health programs, and securing funding for climate-resilient infrastructure 1, 3. For example, H-NAP includes plans to upgrade rural health centres (mostly the government Health Centres and the Village Health Teams) to withstand floods and droughts, ensuring communities have proper information and physical access to healthcare even during disasters.

Regional Collaboration

Initiatives such as the Clim-HEALTH Africa consortium are bringing together experts from across the continent to share strategies 4. In 2024, over 80 health and climate experts met in Senegal to draft a five-year plan for climate-resilient healthcare systems. This includes sharing tools like early-warning systems for disease outbreaks linked to extreme weather 2. In a report from the Clim-HEALTH Africa, concepts of climate data collection and harmonisation across Africa are still a major challenge that threatens future progress and healthcare preparedness in the face of climate change.

Persistent Gaps

Funding Shortfalls

While Uganda’s H-NAP is ambitious and frankly impressive on paper, many African countries lack the resources to replicate it. Climate finance often has focused and prioritized resources on agriculture over healthcare, especially in countries like Uganda whose financial backbone is Agriculture, leaving health systems underfunded. For instance, Nigeria’s healthcare budget is less than 5% of its national budget, making it hard to adapt to climate shocks, as seen in most recent climate disasters 4. These complexities pose a greater threat to healthcare in the face of the unforgiving climate changes.

A cross-sectional study of six African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Ethiopia, and Kenya) revealed that healthcare professionals perceive inadequate resources as a major challenge in addressing climate-related health issues 2. These resources are often hindered by questionable budgetary policies and inadequate prioritisation in healthcare. This study found that 63.1% of respondents reported extensive climate change impacts in recent years, with Nigerian respondents noting the highest levels at 67.7% 4; this indicates that the effects of climate have not gone unnoticed yet there still exists a challenge in rising up to make significant lasting improvements.

Equity in Access

Climate impacts hit rural and marginalized communities hardest. In Ethiopia a lone, droughts have forced nomadic groups to travel farther for water and healthcare, worsening health outcomes. Meanwhile, urban areas often get more funding, leaving rural clinics understaffed and underequipped.

The community-led adaptation initiatives mentioned, such as solar-powered refrigerators in Ghana, reflect a growing trend of local solutions. This approach is supported by research suggesting that improving the basic knowledge of health institutions to better respond to climate change is crucial 4. Implying that some, if not most of the solutions to equip communities and health units may not be as costly as we might think.

Data Gaps

As already hinted upon in the previous article, many African nations lack robust data on how climate change affects health. To make matters worse, most African nations are not equipped to correctly collect, document and analyse data on climate health, let alone, its effects on climate. Without this information, policymakers are disadvantaged to address target populations, and develop solutions, effectively. For example, tracking malaria outbreaks in Kenya’s flood-prone regions could help predict and prepare for future surges, yet research and data collection on this matter is yet to catchup.

Plausible Solutions

Community-Led Adaptation

In West Africa, communities are taking charge. As mentioned earlier, in Ghana, local groups are using solar-powered refrigerators to store vaccines during power outages caused by floods, a solution that is easily replicable. Similarly, in Uganda, farmers are planting drought-resistant crops to reduce malnutrition in various communities; a key factor in weakened immunity among rural populations.

Tech for Climate Health

Mobile apps and drones are bridging healthcare gaps. Recently, in Rwanda, drones deliver blood and medicines to remote areas during floods, while apps in Kenya alert communities to heatwaves or disease outbreaks. Rehabilitation communities in Rwanda are also reportedly developing an App to allow ease telerehabilitation.

Conclusion

While progress maybe underway, climate change remains a ticking time bomb for healthcare access in East and West Africa. In order to keep the ball rolling, we not only need more funding for health-specific climate projects and data-driven policies we also need to enhance and encourage community-led solutions. Uganda’s H-NAP and regional collaborations show

what’s possible, but scaling these efforts requires global solidarity. Climate action isn’t just about saving the planet, it’s about saving lives, and that is why in the next article, we shall explore How Current Technological Advances are in Line to Improve Healthcare access in the face of Climate Change.

Ricky Mugume Kasheija

References

1. The Rockefeller Foundation (2024) Rockefeller Foundation Invests in Uganda’s Climate Change Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP). Available at: 1 (Accessed: 21 March 2025).
2. World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (2024) Experts Agree on African Regional Plan for Health and Climate Change. Available at: 2 (Accessed: 21 March 2025).
3. Makerere University School of Public Health (2024) Launch of the Climate and Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP) 2025–2030. Available at: 3 (Accessed: 21 March 2025).
4. UNICEF (2023) Climate Change and Health in Africa. Available at: 4 (Accessed: 21 March 2025).