Written By- Mahmuda Khanom
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, with wide-ranging implications for human health. The effects of climate change on health are already being felt around the world, from increased heat waves and extreme weather events to the spread of infectious diseases and malnutrition.
Bangladesh, a low-lying country located in South Asia, is at the forefront of feeling the impacts of climate change. The country is highly vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels, more frequent natural disasters, and changing weather patterns. These changes have a significant impact on the health of the population, especially in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited.
One of the major consequences of climate change in Bangladesh is the increased scarcity of clean water, which has severe implications for the health of rural communities. The famous line of Coleridge’s poem, “Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink,” serves as a stark reminder of the devastating effects that can arise when we fail to protect our precious natural resources.
According to a report by the International Water Management Institute, approximately 20 million Bangladeshis lack access to safe drinking water, with millions more at risk of disease due to the poor quality of water available. With its low-lying geography and frequent flooding, the country’s water sources are often contaminated with pathogens, leading to outbreaks of diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid.
One such example of a specific region in Bangladesh where the scarcity of clean water has significantly impacted the health of the local population is Khulna, a coastal district located in the southwestern part of the country. In Khulna, access to safe and clean drinking water is limited, and many residents are forced to rely on contaminated surface water sources, such as rivers and ponds, for their daily water needs.
The situation is further compounded by inadequate sanitation infrastructure and poor access to clean drinking water in many parts of the country. For example, the flooding caused by Cyclone Amphan in May 2020 contaminated water sources in many rural areas of Bangladesh, leading to a spike in cases of diarrhea and other waterborne diseases. The lack of access to clean water during such disasters not only exacerbates the immediate health consequences but also hampers recovery efforts in the aftermath, as clean water is essential for sanitation and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of diseases.
The impact of climate change on vector-borne diseases is also a concern in Bangladesh. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns create conducive conditions for the proliferation of disease-carrying mosquitoes, such as the Aedes Aegypti mosquito responsible for transmitting dengue fever and the Anopheles mosquito responsible for transmitting malaria. The incidence of dengue fever, in particular, has been on the rise in recent years, with outbreaks occurring during the monsoon season when stagnant water provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can lead to crop failures, food shortages, and malnutrition. In addition to the direct health impacts of climate change, the country’s agricultural sector, which is heavily reliant on climate-sensitive crops such as rice and jute, is also at risk. The loss of livelihoods and displacement caused by climate-related disasters further exacerbate health disparities, as marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change.
Bangladesh needs to address its health concerns with both short-term and long-term solutions. Short-term measures include improving access to clean water and sanitation, promoting hygiene, and providing vaccination. Long-term strategies include sustainable development, climate change adaptation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Collaborative efforts with government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners are crucial for building resilience and reducing vulnerability.
