Health Care Capacity for Climate Driven Disaster Response in the Pacific (50m Lecture)

Introduction: The health sector in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) is actively involved in disaster coordination at the national level, providing front line response to the health care needs of their respective populations. This research investigated disaster response in the Pacific and the capacity of responding organizations in both Australia and Pacific Island Countries, to adapt to a changing climate. Key stakeholder interviews were used to assess how key immediate humanitarian needs following a disaster were met, and drew upon the adaptive capacity concept to assess the resilience of individual organizations and the broader system of disaster response in four case study countries (Fiji, Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa). 

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Results: ‘Capacity’ -including health care capacity was one of the objective determinants identified as most significant in influencing the adaptive capacity of the organizations responding to disasters. While health care workers were ready to respond to disasters, their response was often constrained by limited resources. Significant gaps include technical and material capacity, including the lack of technical capacity for psychosocial support for human resources for health (HRH) and the community; and the need for a coordinated regional approach to address the health care training needs. However, elements of adaptiveness were demonstrated by collaboration between environmental health and multi-skilling nurses nursing staff to address the shortfall in HRH.

Conclusion: Recommendations included the establishment of a national disaster response trust fund for each country’s health sector’s response, supported by donors. A coordinated approach is needed for the technical training and up-skilling of HRH, with a view to build institutional and individual capacity in PICs.