Project Summary:

This readiness project is designed to build upon and strengthen national bodies, communities and human resources with new mechanisms (see Section 2: situational analysis of more details) for the preparation, coordination and response to climate change and health issues on The Bahamas’ health system, national shelters, and general population (inclusive of vulnerable individuals). The Government recognizes, that as the country seeks to recover (from both the pandemic and recent hurricanes), it may consider fiscal stimulus measures that may lead to further GHG emissions, which may further negatively impact air quality. However, this proposal recognizes that a ‘greening’ of the COVID19 recovery response is essential and will require the need to develop an integrative governmental assessment and response system to the proposed fiscal stimulus measures. This will enable the partners involved in this readiness project to advise the government of other viable options.

The objectives of the “Developing a climate resilient health system in The Bahamas” readiness project include:

1. To develop a ‘climate SMART health’ 1 in all policies systems framework with cross cutting national policies, procedures and practices and interventions to build a climate resilient health care system in The Bahamas;
2. To enhance the national public health surveillance systems of healthcare facilities (hospitals and primary care clinics) in the Ministry of Health and for community shelters; and
3. To strengthen coordinated mechanisms, communication across agencies (governmental, private sector, and civil society) and human capacity to respond to climate change effects.