Mato Grosso do Sul prepares health services for climate change impacts

Authorities in Mato Grosso do Sul have launched initiatives to prepare the regional health system for the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, such as El Niño.

The PET-Saúde Clima program has officially begun in Corumbá. This 24-month project, coordinated by the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), brings together students, professors, and health professionals to study how environmental and social factors affect population health. The multidisciplinary initiative, titled ‘Pantanal Vivo e Saudável’, focuses on equity, surveillance, and innovation to address climate and environmental emergencies.

Simultaneously, the state has initiated a series of training sessions across nine health regions to prepare services for heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and intense rainfall. These actions include simulations and the integration of surveillance areas to anticipate changes in respiratory diseases and arboviruses. Specific training is also planned for professionals working with vulnerable populations, including indigenous, quilombola, and riverside communities.