Download Policy Issues

National Workshop on Planning for the
GEOHealth Hub for Interdisciplinary
Research and Training
Policy, Regulatory and Organizational
Frameworks
Getnet Mitike, MD, PhD
School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences
Addis Ababa University
Prof. Heather Wipfli
University of Southern California, USA
Purpose
• To examine and identify gaps in national
policies, regulations and organizational
arrangements that govern Ethiopia’s ability to
prevent and mitigate the health impacts of air
pollution, occupational hazards and climate
change.
Methods
• The assessment included a comprehensive
literature review of peer-reviewed
publications and reports (electronic and
hardcopy)
• Reviewed 16 references of which 10 are
proclamations (9) and regulation (1)
• In-depth interviews with key stakeholders
Results
• We have different polices and regulations that
place foundation for addressing air pollution,
climate change and Occupational Safety and
Health
• These include the Constitution, The Health
Policy, Proclamations related to the
establishment of EPA and others including
organizational frameworks.
Key results by organization (SA)
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Ministry of Health
National Meteorology Agency
Environmental Protection Authority
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
Ministry of Water Resources and Energy
Ministry of Health
Gaps/Constraints:
• No clear understanding by different bodies of the difference
between environmental health and environmental protection.
• Environmental health activities are not done by the right
trained professionals.
• No Env. Health department responsible in the FMOH and the
Addis Ababa City Administration. Within the ministry
attention is not given to air pollution and climate change.
• The organizational setup of the department is already mixed
with other units or directorates with no clear job descriptions.
National Meteorology Agency
Gaps/Constraints
• Lack of technically skilled human power or professionals
and high turnover.
• Inadequacy of cross-sectoral links of ministries and line
departments.
• Lack of strong coordination mechanism both at the federal
and regional levels.
• Lack of elaborated links of federal and regional sector
offices involved in environment and development.
• Lack of awareness both on the concept and advantages of
meteorological issues.
• Absence of well-organized research institutions that deal
on climate change adaptation and associated possible
outcomes.
Environmental Protection Authority
Gaps/Constraints:
• Capacity problems at regional and lower levels (both
human power and facilities).
• At lower levels, the environmental protection activities are
done by different implementers and there is a clear mix up
of responsibilities leading to less emphasis.
• There are no indicators and standards set in the country.
• Lack of awareness and less attention to the climate change
issues at lower administrative levels.
• No intensive research and monitoring on the status and
trends of pollution of the major cities including Addis
Ababa.
• No research done regarding to climate change issues.
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaps/Constraints:
• Resource scarcity (logistics and financial) to carryout different
intervention activities on climate change.
• Technology (both knowing what type of technology is required
for the current conditions associated climate change and the
technical skills to choose & apply the appropriate one)
• There is poor inter-sectoral collaboration.
• Absence of monitoring, reporting and verification mechanisms.
Lack of integration with research institutions, the research
centres emphasis on production.
• Human resource scarcity on adaptation and mitigation (both
qualitative and quantitative scarcity).
• No research done on climate change and related issues.
Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
Gaps/Constraints:
• Lack of professionals & practical skills (instruments & maintenance).
• No M & E tools. Monitoring works are done by personal judgments.
• The advisory and inspection activities are done by same person.
• No evaluation is done whether the regulation is implemented or not.
• No systems for pre-employment health evaluation and occupational
disease identification mechanisms.
• Training gaps; the trainings both at the university level and short-term
trainings given by different agents are not need-based.
• Research gaps; no studies conducted on those institutions that need
special attention: horticulture, mining, textile, and construction.
• No evidence based information in the country how much costs the
health problems resulted from works and working environments.
• Absence of accident & emergency registration system
Ministry of Water Resources and
Energy
Gaps/Constraints:
• Lack of skilled and experienced professionals.
• No baseline data or information how much CO2 is released
or discharged to the environment by different industries or
factories.
• No research centers that conduct research to evaluate
different adaptation and mitigation activities.
• No indicators whether there is carbon emission reduction.
• No indicators that showed whether there are health
improvements associated with the intervention on efficient
stove distribution and improved housing conditions.
• There is financial and logistic scarcity.
Cross cutting Priority gaps
• Shortage of skilled personnel in terms of professionals and lack of specific
skills in operating equipment and managing problems related to for
example occupational health and safety, climate change and air pollution.
• Lack of evidence and research activities in air pollution, climate change
and occupational health. There exists limited data in all areas. No
surveillance e.g. occupational injuries
• Poor coordination and integration among the different stakeholders. The
structure and the regulation for coordination exists (functionality and
capacity of capacity of implementation?)
• Low awareness of contemporary problems. Awareness on the health
impacts of climate change, air pollution and occupational and workplace
hazards is low.
• Poor monitoring and documentation of activities.
• Inadequate linkage between training institutions and required skills by the
ministries.
• No budget allocation and facilities arrangements for laboratories, research
works and surveillance works.
Cross cutting Priority needs for intervention
Identified Needs
• Production of competent professionals & in-service training , e.g.
occupational health, climate change and air pollution.
• Align training curricula with country needs
• Generate evidence and establish research and surveillance sites in
different places of Addis e.g. for particulate matter, emitted gases &
control station & encourage different factories to have their own.
• Increase awareness of people and decision makers on climate change,
air pollution and occupational and improve documentation of
activities
• Set indicators for M &E for climate change and occupational health
and safety and establish systems to implement policies and
regulations.
• Establish mechanisms accountability and systems of coordination at
national and organizational levels.