Vulnerability and the climate change adaptive capacity of the Health sector in Ha Tinh province

Abstract

Viet Nam is considered as one of the most affected countries by climate change and Ha Tinh Province is among the vulnerable provinces to climate change and extreme weather events. This study was conducted in 2018 aimed to assess the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the health sector in Ha Tinh under the impacts of climate change. The assessment followed the frst four steps outlined in the World Health Organization’s Guideline in conducting “Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments”. The research team applied Delphi method to develop a list of 36 indicators for semi quantitative and qualitative assessment. Secondary data for the assessment was provided by Ha Tinh Provincial Department of Health and Center for Disease Control. The results in Ha Tinh showed that, in 2017, the level of exposure to climate change-related hazards was “High” and the score for “Exposure” was 3.3 (out of the maximum score of 5.0). For “Health sensitivity”, the score was 3.0 (out of the maximum score of 5.0), making the overall rating for this group of indicators “High”. For “Risk due to adaptive capacity level”, the overall score was 4.5, which mean the adaptive capacity was “Very low”. The overall rating for vulnerability and capacity of the health sector in Ha Tinh was “High risk” (scored at 3.6 out of the maximum score of 5.0). The results provide scientifc evidence for developing adaptation plan to reduce the vulnerability and improve the adaptation capacity of the health sector in Ha Tinh to climate change in the coming years