P-46 Barriers and Opportunities to Climate Change Health Systems Strenghtentng in the Eastern Caribbean

Methods:  This narrative review highlights barriers and opportunities for strengthening the resilience of health systems against climate change in four Eastern Caribbean islands.  We deduced information from desk reviews of the Health National Adaptation Plans for Climate Change, developed in 2022-2023, with the support of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization. We conducted strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analyses in preparation of the Health National Adaptation Plans from relevant documents provided by the health agencies, Ministries of Health, and online sources.

Results:  Several barriers and opportunities were identified for climate resilient health systems in the sub-region. Some of these barriers included: an inadequate enabling governance and leadership environment, and the need for strengthening and re-orientation of the multi-sectoral approach to decision-making, as a condition for enhancing capabilities. Some opportunities included the general commitment among decision-makers from across the four Eastern Caribbean islands governments to address climate change adaptation and mitigation in a definitive manner; climate change and health focused inter-ministerial committees which can enhance multi-sectoral collaboration and strengthen ownership; and funding for climate change and health from development partners.

Conclusion:  Caribbean small island states are well-placed to implement policies and operational frameworks for the application of adaptation and mitigation measures critical to building, managing and sustaining climate resilient health systems.