Climate Change and Health Sector Response in Nepal: Analyzing Policy Gaps
Tracks
Tully 2
| Monday, July 27, 2026 |
| 2:30 PM - 2:45 PM |
Speaker
Dr Lal Mani Adhikari
Faculty
Nepal Open University
Climate Change and Health Sector Response in Nepal: Analyzing Policy Gaps
ISE Congress 2026 Abstract
Introduction:
Climate change poses growing risks to public health in Nepal, where rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and frequent extreme events intensify existing vulnerabilities. This manuscript examines climate–health linkages, policy responses, and adaptation strategies based on consultations with national and subnational stakeholders and a review of key climate and health policy documents.
Methods:
Using qualitative methods—including situation analysis, rapid surveys, gap analysis, and narrative synthesis—the study assesses how climate change affects health and evaluates current preparedness within the health sector.
Result and Discussion:
Findings show that climate change contributes to heat stress, especially among the elderly, children, and outdoor workers. Shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns have expanded the prevalence of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Water-borne infections, including cholera and typhoid, have increased due to flooding and poor water quality. Climate-driven declines in agricultural productivity intensify food insecurity and malnutrition. Moreover, disasters like floods, landslides, and GLOFs cause injuries, deaths, and displacement, placing additional strain on the health system.
Nepal has responded by integrating climate adaptation into policy frameworks such as the National Adaptation Programme of Action, Climate Change Policy 2019, and the Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP). These emphasize resilient health infrastructure, stronger disease surveillance, community-based adaptation, and alignment with SDGs 3 and 13. Current strategies focus on strengthening health systems, improving early warning systems, capacity building, community engagement, and enhancing research.
The major gaps identified were: Limited financial and human resources, weak cross-sectoral coordination, insufficient data on climate-related health risks, and low public awareness constrain effective action. These barriers persist to pose increased climate vulnerabilities. Addressing these gaps requires investment in climate-resilient health infrastructure, improved surveillance, professional training, community engagement, stronger multi-sectoral collaboration, and enhanced research systems.
Conclusion :
Overall, a coordinated and well-resourced approach is essential to build a climate-resilient health sector in Nepal.
Climate change poses growing risks to public health in Nepal, where rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and frequent extreme events intensify existing vulnerabilities. This manuscript examines climate–health linkages, policy responses, and adaptation strategies based on consultations with national and subnational stakeholders and a review of key climate and health policy documents.
Methods:
Using qualitative methods—including situation analysis, rapid surveys, gap analysis, and narrative synthesis—the study assesses how climate change affects health and evaluates current preparedness within the health sector.
Result and Discussion:
Findings show that climate change contributes to heat stress, especially among the elderly, children, and outdoor workers. Shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns have expanded the prevalence of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Water-borne infections, including cholera and typhoid, have increased due to flooding and poor water quality. Climate-driven declines in agricultural productivity intensify food insecurity and malnutrition. Moreover, disasters like floods, landslides, and GLOFs cause injuries, deaths, and displacement, placing additional strain on the health system.
Nepal has responded by integrating climate adaptation into policy frameworks such as the National Adaptation Programme of Action, Climate Change Policy 2019, and the Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP). These emphasize resilient health infrastructure, stronger disease surveillance, community-based adaptation, and alignment with SDGs 3 and 13. Current strategies focus on strengthening health systems, improving early warning systems, capacity building, community engagement, and enhancing research.
The major gaps identified were: Limited financial and human resources, weak cross-sectoral coordination, insufficient data on climate-related health risks, and low public awareness constrain effective action. These barriers persist to pose increased climate vulnerabilities. Addressing these gaps requires investment in climate-resilient health infrastructure, improved surveillance, professional training, community engagement, stronger multi-sectoral collaboration, and enhanced research systems.
Conclusion :
Overall, a coordinated and well-resourced approach is essential to build a climate-resilient health sector in Nepal.
Biography
Dr. Adhikari has been an esteemed researcher in the field of public health interventions with a particular focus on Social Anthropological researches including climate change and health interventions. He holds the PhD and have more than 15 years of professional experience in development and academia in Nepal, Sweden and India.
