Proper action plan for adapting to climate change affects should be developed for Barishal region, said speakers at a workshop in the city yesterday.

Bangladesh is the worst victim of climate change and Barishal region is the most affected area, they said, adding that women and children are at high health risk.

With assistance from Unicef, Health Service Division at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organiged the workshop titled “Climate-Resilient Comprehensive Health Adaptation Plan” at a city hotel.

In Barishal division, disadvantaged people usually live in char and remote areas where health service system is not developed, the speakers said. To reduce climate risk, nutrition for mother and children has to be ensured, they further added.

“We are going to develop climate-resilient comprehensive health service system. We are arranging divisional workshops on the issue. Once those conclude, we will make a climate-resilient national health adaptation plan,” said Habibur Rahman Khan, additional secretary of the Health Service Division.

Regarding the issue, 624 projects at Tk 3,500 crore are supposed to be implemented by the government, said Dipak Kanti Paul, managing director of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust,  Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Dr Zahirul Islam, health advisor, Embassy of Sweden; AH Towfique, chief of Field Office, Unicef, Barishal; and Dr Hari Krishna Banskota of Unicef Bangladesh, were present as special guests.

Dr Md Iqbal Kabir, a coordinator of the Health Service Division, presented keynote paper at the workshop.

It was chaired by Dr Mahabubur Rahman.