From structural retrofitting to climate retrofitting: Ensuring resilience in public health facilities

In Nepal, the structural design of public health facilities adheres to building codes, while functional aspects follow health construction guidelines. Given Nepal's high seismic risk and climate change impacts, retrofitting these facilities for resilience is crucial. Climate change disrupts daily life, affecting livelihoods and public health, necessitating comprehensive strategies like climate retrofitting.

Climate retrofitting enhances buildings, infrastructure, and systems to withstand climate change effects, ensuring functionality, sustainability, and reduced environmental impact. It incorporates energy-efficient designs, water management systems, disaster response plans, and environmental health protection measures.

Transitioning from structural to climate retrofitting requires engineers to lead. They should develop facilities resistant to extreme weather, environmental hazards, and service disruptions. Engineering associations can promote climate resilience through training programs, collaboration, advocacy for policies, and global initiatives.

Universities play a role by integrating climate resilience into engineering curricula and engaging students in research. These proactive steps empower engineers and architects to design healthcare facilities resilient to climate change, ensuring continued essential services delivery despite challenges.

Overall, proactive measures by engineering bodies and universities contribute significantly to developing a workforce capable of planning and designing climate-resilient healthcare facilities, safeguarding essential healthcare services for communities amidst climate adversity

在尼泊尔，公共卫生设施的结构设计需严格遵循建筑规范，功能层面则需符合卫生建设导则。鉴于尼泊尔地震风险极高且受气候变化影响显著，对这类设施开展韧性改造以提升抗灾能力至关重要。气候变化扰乱民众日常生活，影响生计与公共卫生福祉，因此亟需制定气候适应性改造（climate retrofitting）等综合性应对策略。
气候适应性改造可优化建筑、基础设施与系统的性能，使其能够抵御气候变化带来的各类影响，保障设施功能正常运转、提升可持续性并降低环境负面影响。该改造方案涵盖节能设计、水资源管理系统、灾害应对预案以及环境卫生防护措施等内容。
从结构改造转向气候适应性改造，需要工程师发挥主导作用。他们应研发能够抵御极端天气、环境灾害以及服务中断的医疗设施。工程协会可通过培训项目、跨主体协作、政策倡导以及全球倡议等举措，推动气候韧性建设。
高等院校可通过将气候韧性内容纳入工程专业课程体系，并组织学生参与相关研究工作，发挥自身的赋能作用。这些前瞻性举措可赋能工程师与建筑师，使其能够设计出适应气候变化的医疗设施，即便面临各类挑战，也能保障基本医疗服务的持续供给。
总体而言，工程机构与高等院校采取的前瞻性举措，对培养能够规划并设计气候适应性医疗设施的专业人才具有关键推动作用，从而在气候逆境中保障社区民众能够持续获得基本医疗服务。