Climate-vulnerable nations in the Indo-Pacific require urgent and substantial investments to build resilient healthcare systems amidst escalating climate risks. However, the significant financing shortfall impedes critical adaptation and healthcare resilience efforts. By 2030, the Indo-Pacific is projected to become the fastest-growing region in healthcare spending, accounting for over 20 per cent of global expenditures. The region's most climate-vulnerable nations face multiple barriers to accessing climate finance, including complex application processes, limited institutional capacity, and an overreliance on debt-based financing. Pacific Island nations, for example, receive less than 10 per cent of the climate finance they require annually to adapt to climate-related health risks. Mainstreaming climate considerations into national health priorities is essential to ensure long-term resilience. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, integrating climate risk assessments into public health strategies, and expanding access to sustainable financing for health adaptation are critical priorities. Financial institutions, like multilaterals, PDBs, and also national DFIs must also play a proactive role in designing tailored funding solutions that enhance healthcare resilience. This panel will explore innovative solutions, financing mechanisms and reforms in the policy landscape to unlock finance for climate-resilient healthcare systems in the Indo-Pacific.

Driving Questions

• How can climate finance be integrated into national health policies to ensure climate-resilient healthcare systems?
• What financing models can support the development of health infrastructure capable of withstanding climate-related shocks and extreme weather events?
• How can adaptation financing be leveraged to strengthen health resilience and preparedness for climate-induced public health crises?
• What role do regional and multilateral financial institutions play in expanding access to funding for climate-health adaptation?

Speakers

Madhav Joshi, CEO, India Health Fund
Himangi Bhardwaj, Head – Health and Lifesciences, Science and Technology Network, British High Commission (virtual)
Antara Ray, Director – Climate Resilience, PwC India
Vanshica Kant, Associate Investment Officer, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) (virtual)

Moderator

Swati Prabhu, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation