Health National Adaptation Plan (H-Nap) for Building Climate Resilient Health Systems.

This Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP) of Lao PDR provides a strategic framework to build climate-resilient health systems amid rising climate risks for the medium and long term. With projections of a 2–3°C temperature increase and 10–30% more rainfall by 2050, the country faces heightened vulnerability to floods, droughts, and extreme weather events. These changes threaten public health through water- and vector-borne diseases, heat-related illnesses, malnutrition, and sudden surges in health service demand. The H-NAP aims to reduce population vulnerability and strengthen adaptation capacity by integrating climate measures into health sector planning, focusing on six priority risks: WASH, food insecurity, diarrhoeal diseases, dengue, heat stress, and emergency preparedness.
Developed with WHO support, the Plan aligns with national strategies and the WHO operational framework, organizing actions under ten components, including governance, health workforce, risk monitoring, research, and climate-informed programs. It emphasizes multisectoral collaboration, technology upgrades, and financing mechanisms, while promoting community awareness and resilience. Implementation for 2023–2025 prioritizes safe, green healthcare facilities, early warning systems, and capacity building to ensure sustainable health services under changing climate conditions.