Cross-sectoral perspectives on strategies to address climate adaptation and health in cyclone-prone Sofala province, Mozambique

Abstract

Mozambique is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, experiencing increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events that disrupt health systems and exacerbate both infectious and non-communicable disease burdens. This study aimed to identify multi-level adaptation strategies to strengthen health system resilience in the context of climate-related disasters in Sofala Province. Forty key informant interviews were conducted across three high-risk districts (Buzi, Dondo, Nhamatanda) with stakeholders representing community, clinical, and governmental sectors. Rapid qualitative analysis identified six key themes: (1) heightened frequency and severity of extreme weather events; (2) major disruptions to healthcare delivery, access, and supply chains; (3) increased burden of food insecurity and infectious diseases; (4) reliance on external aid for health-related disaster response; (5) and the need for improved preparedness is needed at the health system, community, and individual levels. communication and coordination. Findings highlight the critical need for integrated, multisectoral disaster preparedness that includes both chronic and infectious disease care, enhanced early warning systems, and coordinated response strategies at individual, community, and health system levels. These results underscore the urgency of engaging local stakeholders in developing context-specific, evidence-informed resilience strategies to mitigate the health impacts of climate change in low-resource settings.