Health system of the country needs to be climate change resilient as global warming poses serious risks to public health with changing patterns in diseases, destruction of infrastructures and resources, experts said at the national policy advocacy workshop yesterday.

They recalled the recent climatic events including early flash floods in the country's haor regions, landslides in the hill tracts and outbreak of chikunguniya in the capital last year.

Climate Change and Health Promotion Unit (CCHPU) of the health ministry with support from UNICEF organised the national workshop on climate resilient health system at the capital's Cirdap auditorium.

The programme was attended by civil surgeons, officials of different ministries and development partners.

Hundreds of people suffered from chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease that struck during the monsoon last year, while 152 people were killed in landslides in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Besides, around 8.8 lakh metric tonnes of crops were damaged in flash floods in haor regions last year, according to the disaster management ministry.

“Such climatic events put huge pressure on the health system. When the infrastructure is damaged, it also becomes difficult for health [service] personnel to provide emergency services,” said Zahid Maleque, state minister for health and family welfare, at the closing of a workshop.

While the developed countries are responsible for climate change, pollution of air and water is also a major concern as it is related to public health, said state minister while addressing the workshop as the chief guest.

“Contaminated river water leads to skin diseases and cancer. The water also cannot be used for irrigation. That's ominous and we should prevent it,” he also said.

Prof Abul Kalam Azad, director general (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said millions of people in the coastal region are likely to face displacement in the coming years due to rise in the sea level and Bangladesh will face immense challenges in rehabilitating them.

It is imperative for the authorities to adopt a comprehensive plan well ahead of time, he said.

Dr MA Faiz, former DG of DGHS, said there is evidence that salinity in the coastal region is linked to pregnant women developing high blood pressure, which is a matter of great health concern, he added.

Jean Lieby of UNICEF Bangladesh said children in Bangladesh are the most affected group of people during climatic events. In the events of hot summer, cyclone, flood or cold, the children suffer the most from diseases including diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malnutrition. CCHPU Coordinator Dr Iqbal Kabir said all health facilities should be designed with green technology to ensure efficient use of electricity and water.