Building Resilience for Health Workers Amidst Climate Change and Conflict

Smile Train recently partnered with the Frontline Health Workers Coalition (FHWC) and other leading global health organizations to co-host an impactful side event during the 79th United Nations General Assembly. The event focused on building a resilient health workforce to address the growing, intersecting challenges of climate change, pandemics, and conflict. This critical gathering, “Building Health Workforce Resilience: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Climate and Health Crises,” brought together leading voices across civil society and the private and public sectors to explore solutions for strengthening the health workforce in vulnerable regions worldwide. 

The event began with opening remarks by Tina Flores, Director of FHWC, and framing remarks from Aparajita Ramakrishnan and Patricia Odero of the Gates Foundation. A fireside chat between Dr. Vanessa Kerry, CEO of Seed Global Health, and Crystal Lander, Executive VP at Pathfinder International, delved into strategies to build resilient, multidisciplinary health workforces that can meet the shifting demands brought on by climate change and health emergencies. They also introduced Seed Global Health’s "Health Workers Save Lives" campaign, advocating for more resources and training for health workers in crisis-affected regions. 

The keynote speakers offered country-specific perspectives on the evolving global health landscape: 
•    Hon. Dr. Robert Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, Minister of Health of Burkina Faso 
•    Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, Undersecretary of Health for the Philippines 
•    Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi 

These leaders shared firsthand insights on the health challenges brought on by environmental shifts, conflict, and pandemics and how their countries are working to support frontline health workers. 

Resilience and Innovation Through Partnership 

The heart of the event was "Integrating Resilience into Primary Care," a panel discussion that explored innovative approaches to equipping health workers for climate crises and conflict situations while still addressing their day-to-day needs. Moderated by Rachel Deussom of Chemonics, it featured: 
•    Dr. Mariia Kholostenko, Medical Coordinator, Project HOPE Ukraine 
•    Thomas Opiyo Onyango, Country Director, Living Goods Kenya 
•    Erin Stieber, Chief Programs Officer, Smile Train 
•    Alice Lin Fabiano, Global Head of Social Impact & Partnerships, Johnson & Johnson  

Erin Stieber emphasized the importance of sustainable infrastructure, such as the solar-powered surgical units installed in operating rooms across Africa by Smile Train and Kids Operating Room, which address power needs in low-resource settings and demonstrate how environmentally friendly practices can enhance healthcare access. Opiyo Onyango highlighted how Kenya's community health workers have become first responders in climate emergencies like recent floods, while Lin Fabiano discussed Johnson & Johnson’s commitment to fostering partnerships that prioritize underserved populations. 

The Path Forward 

The event concluded with a second fireside chat, moderated by Ritu Sharma, Vice President of CARE USA, featuring Debra Marie Olumbo, a community health promoter from Kenya, and Dr. Bassim Birkland of Seed Global Health. They shared their on-the-ground perspectives, emphasizing that partnerships, advocacy, and sustainable investments are crucial to building a global health workforce capable of adapting to future crises. 

Smile Train and our partners remain committed to a vision of health systems that empower health workers with the tools and support they need to thrive both as clinicians and as leaders in health. This event underscored a vital message: through collaboration, sustainable practices, and targeted investments, the global health community can rise to meet tomorrow’s challenges and ensure resilient healthcare for all.