Climate Change Strategic Plan for Public Health.

This Climate Change Strategic Plan for Public Health is a sectoral policy document covering the period of 2013-2023. The Goal is: To reduce morbidity, mortality, injuries and health vulnerability to climate variability and extreme weathers.
The policy document was prepared as part of the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan (CCCSP). Health is one of the sectors invited to undertake sector analysis and strategic planning to be integrated in the CCCSP. In order to develop an appropriate climate strategy and action for the health sector, three climate health sensitive areas were selected as the main targets. The three targets are: vector-borne diseases; water/food borne diseases; and health impacts related to extreme weathers. Based on these three targets, the Vision is set up as: to increase climate resilience for better health and well-being of all Cambodians, especially of the poor, women and children, contributing to poverty alleviation and achieving the Cambodia Millennium Development Goals (CMDG).
Objectives and key actions are identified. Objective 1 is: To improve health care infrastructure and capacity of health personnel to cope with vector-borne and water-borne diseases in the context of climate change. Key actions include: Conduct surveillance and research on water-borne and food-borne diseases in selected provinces to improve the knowledge relationship between climate variability (temperature, rainfall, humidity) and infectious diseases; Assess health care infrastructure at all levels (especially in disaster-prone areas) in response to climate change related diseases and extreme weathers; etc.
Objective 2 is: To enhance emergency preparedness and response to cope with extreme weathers and climate change related disasters. Key actions include: Development and implementation of surveillance of extreme weathers and related diseases, including respiratory diseases, injuries, malnutrition, food safety/consumption in synergy or collaboration with other relevant agencies; Setting up and strengthening emergency preparedness and response networks and plans, including food safety response, at all levels.
Objective 3 is: To improve knowledge and research capacity on health impacts and vulnerability to climate change as an information base for mainstreaming climate change in the health strategic planning of MoH and other sector planning. Key actions include: Development of methodologies, guidelines, models and indicators for research and health vulnerability assessment; Organize trainings on health impact/vulnerability assessment, modelling of climate variability and health impacts, surveillance and research; Promoting public education and awareness campaigns on the health impacts of climate change, including disease control, prevention, treatment, epidemic preparedness and sanitation and hygiene; etc.