The growing threat of climate change has prompted health professionals to take a more active role in mitigating its impact on public health. Collaboration among medical experts, government agencies, and academic institutions is essential in developing strategies to address climate-related health risks.
In the Philippines, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Department of Health (DOH) have strengthened their partnership to enhance healthcare resilience. Their initiatives focus on preventing heat-related illnesses, controlling the spread of vector-borne diseases, and combating malnutrition. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has emphasized the need for eco-friendly hospitals and integrating climate adaptation into disaster risk reduction efforts
Additionally, the CCC and the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to incorporate climate change topics into medical education. This initiative aims to equip future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to address climate-related health issues across 54 medical schools.
Internationally, a network of European medical schools, led by the University of Glasgow, is integrating climate-related disease training into their curricula. This initiative prepares future doctors to manage conditions worsened by climate change, such as dengue, malaria, and heatstroke.
Collaboration is key to tackling climate-related health challenges. By uniting efforts, health professionals, educators, and policymakers can strengthen healthcare systems, raise public awareness, and better prepare medical practitioners to respond to emerging health threats driven by environmental changes.
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