Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems in Guyana- A Policy Evaluation in the Context of Climate Change and Public Health Vulnerability
1
College of Medical Sciences, University of Guyana, Georgetown, Guyana
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
AIM:
The study examined the impacts of climate change on public health in Guyana and assessed the preparedness of national health, environmental and climate policy frameworks to support the development of climate-resilient health systems.
METHODS:
A single embedded case study design was employed covering the period 2003-2023. Guided by the World Health Organization’s Operational Framework for Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems, a mixed methods approach was used, including policy and literature review, stakeholder surveys, key informant’s interviews, situational analysis and a SWOT assessment. Data were collected from government ministries, health sector institutions and academic stakeholders. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed using NVivo 20. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ministry of Health Institutional Review Board.
RESULTS:
Findings indicate that although Guyana has developed multiple policy instruments recognizing climate health linkages, implementation remains largely incomplete. Institutional fragmentation, limited enforcement capacity, insufficient climate-health integration and workforce capacity gaps constrain effective action. Recurrent flooding, droughts and heat-related hazards continue to exacerbate water-and vector-borne diseases, food insecurity and mental health outcomes, particularly among coastal, hinterland and indigenous populations. Emerging environmental risks associated with the oil and gas sector further intensify systemic vulnerabilities.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening climate-resilient health systems in Guyana requires improved governance coherence, integrated surveillance and early warning systems, targeted capacity building and sustained investment in climate-smart, low-carbon health infrastructure. These reforms are essential for safeguarding public health in the context of accelerating climate change.
The study examined the impacts of climate change on public health in Guyana and assessed the preparedness of national health, environmental and climate policy frameworks to support the development of climate-resilient health systems.
METHODS:
A single embedded case study design was employed covering the period 2003-2023. Guided by the World Health Organization’s Operational Framework for Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems, a mixed methods approach was used, including policy and literature review, stakeholder surveys, key informant’s interviews, situational analysis and a SWOT assessment. Data were collected from government ministries, health sector institutions and academic stakeholders. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed using NVivo 20. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ministry of Health Institutional Review Board.
RESULTS:
Findings indicate that although Guyana has developed multiple policy instruments recognizing climate health linkages, implementation remains largely incomplete. Institutional fragmentation, limited enforcement capacity, insufficient climate-health integration and workforce capacity gaps constrain effective action. Recurrent flooding, droughts and heat-related hazards continue to exacerbate water-and vector-borne diseases, food insecurity and mental health outcomes, particularly among coastal, hinterland and indigenous populations. Emerging environmental risks associated with the oil and gas sector further intensify systemic vulnerabilities.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening climate-resilient health systems in Guyana requires improved governance coherence, integrated surveillance and early warning systems, targeted capacity building and sustained investment in climate-smart, low-carbon health infrastructure. These reforms are essential for safeguarding public health in the context of accelerating climate change.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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