Aware but Unprepared: The impact of climate change on healthcare workers and service delivery in Africa - A Scoping Review

Overview This project is a continental scoping review examining how climate change is affecting healthcare workers (HCWs) and health service delivery across Africa, and how prepared health systems and health professionals are to respond to these challenges. The study systematically maps existing primary research evidence, identifies thematic patterns and gaps, and uses an established health systems framework to interpret findings and inform policy and practice. The review responds to the growing recognition that climate change is not only an environmental crisis but also a major health systems stressor, particularly in low- and middle-income regions such as Africa, where adaptive capacity is limited and health systems are already strained. Aims The project aims to: Examine healthcare workers’ knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of climate change and its health impacts in African contexts. Assess the preparedness of health systems and facilities to manage climate-related health risks and service disruptions. Identify how climate change affects workload, working conditions, mental health, and professional practice of healthcare workers. Map existing evidence gaps to inform future research, workforce training, infrastructure planning, and policy development.