Strengthening Climate Resilience of the Lao PDR Health System

In partnership with Save the Children International in Laos and in collaboration with Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic officially launched a key activity under the "Strengthening Climate Resilience of the Lao PDR Health System."

Supported by the Green Climate Fund, this five-year-long project aims to enhance the resilience of the Lao PDR health system to climate change by addressing vulnerabilities in healthcare infrastructure, disease surveillance, and community preparedness. By integrating governance improvements, infrastructure upgrades, enhanced data analytics, and community engagement, this multistakeholder initiative aims to create a sustainable, climate-resilient healthcare system across the country. 

Under Activity 3.2.1 of the "Strengthening Climate Resilience of the Lao PDR Health System"  project, HCWH SEA will conduct a comprehensive GHG emissions assessment in 79 health facilities across the country using a tested tool developed by Health Care Without Harm (Climate Check Up Tool) to establish each facility’s emissions baseline. 

The results of the assessments will also inform the development of GHG emissions reduction and energy-saving targets for all 79 facilities by enabling the project to prioritize the upgrades that will reduce health facility emissions. 

Moreover, this initiative will also inform and support both local and national policy and planning efforts toward a low-carbon health system. It aligns with Lao PDR’s ongoing development of a national carbon mitigation plan and reinforces the country’s COP26 commitment to achieving a sustainable, low-carbon health sector by 2030.