Vietnam joins Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health ​

The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on November 17 announce that Vietnam has joined the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on November 17 announced that Vietnam has joined the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) to help the health sector contribute to the country’s target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

WHO established the alliance to help countries deliver on commitments on climate change and health they made at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

The announcement came ahead of COP28 and on the day of Vietnam’s health partnership meeting, where senior health officials and health partners, invited by WHO, discussed climate change and health.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong said that with its geographical location and unique natural conditions, Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Data from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment showed that in recent years, extreme climate events have occurred with greater intensity and frequency.

The Ministry of Health has joined ATACH to demonstrate Vietnam's desire to exchange and share with other countries around the world and commit to climate change and health initiatives, Huong said.

Globally, every health system is – or will be – affected by climate change: from extreme weather events damaging health facilities and causing injuries to health services treating more people with climate-sensitive diseases such as dengue, to patients with respiratory symptoms caused by polluted air.

WHO Vietnam Representative Dr Angela Pratt said: “Around the world, we have seen that it takes high-level, national leadership to transform health systems to become climate-resilient and sustainable. So, WHO congratulates Vietnam on joining the Alliance, which will help the country achieve its emissions target and protect people’s health in an unstable and changing climate.

She said Vietnam is commended for the strong action it is already taking on climate change and health. For example, the Ministry of Health, with WHO’s support, has been piloting models for climate change resilient and environmentally sustainable healthcare facilities. This work recognises that healthcare facilities will be important for achieving the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from the health sector, Dr Pratt said.

Participants at the meeting (Photo: VietnamPlus)

WHO Director of Environment, Climate Change and Health Dr Maria Neira said that the WHO is gaining from Vietnam’s experience. It hopes Vietnam will be gaining from the global experience towards resilient, low-carbon communities and health systems.

“The positive message is very clear: if you tackle the causes of climate change, you can obtain enormous health benefits,” she said.

WHO will also be supporting the Ministry of Health to develop a plan on reducing its own carbon emissions and environmental footprint. Globally, the health sector accounts for 4.6% of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

ATACH provides a platform for coordination; knowledge and best practice exchange and provides networks and access to support and link up to existing initiatives. The alliance also tackles common challenges, and monitors global progress. So far, nearly 80 countries and areas have joined.

COP28 will take place from November 30 to December 12. For the first time, the COP will prioritise the need for an ambitious response to the impacts of climate change on public health. This will include the first-ever Health Day at a COP, a dedicated health and climate ministerial meeting, and a ministerial declaration on climate and health./.