This presentation was delivered at the Global Forum 2019 in Africa High-Level Policy Panel by Dr. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Deputy Director General, Viet Nam Health and Environment Agency

1. Africa Forum 2019: 18-19 July 2019, Dar es Salaam,Tanzania I #AfricaForum2019
NATIONALACTION PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO
CLIMATE CHANGE OF THE HEALTH SECTOR
STAGE 2019-2030 AND VISION 2050
Dr NguyenThanh Ha
Deputy Director General,
Vietnam Health Environment Management Agency – Ministry Health

2. Africa Forum 2019: 18-19 July 2019, Dar es Salaam,Tanzania I #AfricaForum2019
CLIMATE
CHANGEAND
HUMAN
HEALTH
IMPACTS IN
VIETNAM
I. Vietnam is one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of
climate change.
 Its long coastline (3,200 km) and large deltas make it particularly susceptible
to more intense and frequent natural disasters, sea level rise, coastal
erosion, and salt water intrusion.
 Vietnam loses around 2% of GDP per year as a result of weather-related
disasters.
 Annually, the health sector procures a large amount of medical
equipment, consumable materials, drugs, etc
 VN is one of Asia’s Five worst polluters of ocean plastic waste
 Climate change is associated with increased risk of dengue fever, diarrhea,
hand-foot-mouth disease, and hospital admission, especially among elderly
and children in Vietnam.
 As the temperature increased by 10C, number of children admitted to the
hospital increase from 3.4 - 4.6%, a 7 to 11% increased risk of dengue, a 5
to 6% hand-foot-mouth disease, and a 1.5% diarrhea.

3. Africa Forum 2019: 18-19 July 2019, Dar es Salaam,Tanzania I #AfricaForum2019
SECTOR
ACTION PLAN
TO
RESPONSE
CLIMATE
CHANGE
II.Therefore, policies have been adopted for actions namely:
 In 2012, Prime Minister’s Decision on approving national strategy on
Green growth for the period 2011- 2020 with vision to 2050”
 In 2014, the Law on Environment Protection is adopted where a
particular article governing promotion of environment friendly
production and utilization.
 Number of sub-laws policies regulating areas of retrieval and treatment
of discarded products, hazardous waste management, management of
wastes and scraps, requirements of the imported scraps, List of
HazardousWaste,Regulations on Companies engaging in Hazardous
Waste Generation,Transportation and Disposal, among many others
 In late 2017-2018: VN goverment a dopted the national action plan
for implementation of Paris Agreement on climate change - So Vn
being a pioneer country this Agreement

4. Africa Forum 2019: 18-19 July 2019, Dar es Salaam,Tanzania I #AfricaForum2019
SECTOR
ACTION PLAN
TO
RESPONSE
CLIMATE
CHANGE
 In 2018, Ministry of Health approved the National Action Plan for
Responding to Climate Change of the Health Sector stage 2019-2030
and vision to 2050.
 Main solutions:
o Developing climate change related policies, regulations, guidelines
o Strengthening communication and advocacy for raising awareness and
investment for health ofifcials and communities
o Strengthening capacity in response to climate change for the health
system with priorities for grass-root health facilities
o Piloting demonstrated projects on climate change adaptation in the
health sector
o Applying technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emission in health
care facilities, for example solar energy, waste management
o Financing for responding to climate change of the health sectors
o Monitoring and evaluation

5. Africa Forum 2019: 18-19 July 2019, Dar es Salaam,Tanzania I #AfricaForum2019
SUSTAINABLE
ADAPTATION
INTHE
HEALTH
SECTOR
 Ministry of Health will develop and complete policies regarding to
application of new technologies to reduce greeenhouse gas emision
in health care facilities
 MOH in collaboration with UNDP will work on strengthening sustainable
procurement of drugs and equipment. This will request suppliers should be
compliance with environment protection (including reduction of green
house gas emission).
 In August 2019, the MOH will conduct a national conference on
implementation of Minister’s direction in plastic medical waste mitigation,
which is apart of the Action Plan implementation.
 Further share learning from experts and support from donors :
o Supporting MOH Vietnam to implement the National Health Action Plan
o Applying green and environment-friendly technologies in waste management
in health care facilities
o Piloting and expanping good models on climate change mitigation and
adaptation