Swasti – Climate Care Champions
Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems in India
Extreme heat is emerging as one of the most immediate and visible health impacts of climate change in India. In districts such as Ananthapuramu, where high temperatures, water stress, and rural livelihoods intersect, vulnerable populations face growing risks of heat-related illness, particularly older persons, young children, pregnant and lactating women, outdoor workers, and low-income households. At the same time, frontline health workers, predominantly women, carry the responsibility of protecting communities while navigating increasing climate pressures within already stretched systems.
Through our partnership with Swasti, we are strengthening district health systems to respond proactively to extreme heat. In 2025, we focused on equipping frontline workers with practical skills, multilingual tools, and structured mentorship, while embedding heat preparedness within the District Heat Action Plan. By aligning closely with government leadership, the Climate Care Champions Program (CCCP) is ensuring that climate-responsive health action becomes institutionalized within routine systems rather than remaining in a standalone intervention.
What we do
The Climate Care Champions Program (CCCP) builds the capacity of frontline health workers to prevent, identify early, and respond effectively to heat-related illness. It strengthens referral pathways for high-risk individuals and embeds climate preparedness within district planning and reporting systems. Our collaboration focuses not only on training individuals, but on reinforcing the systems that support them. By integrating heat-related indicators into routine monitoring structures and aligning activities with district Heat Action Plans, the partnership advances a more coordinated, anticipatory public health response to climate risk.
How we deliver
Swasti works alongside district authorities and health leaders to co-create and implement a structured climate–health curriculum tailored to local realities. A Training-of-Trainers model enables district-level clinicians and supervisors to cascade learning to frontline cadres across Primary Health Centres and community settings. The program combines in-person training with digital reinforcement through the Climate Coach chatbot, offering frontline workers multilingual, real-time guidance during peak heat periods. Educational materials and practical job aids support consistent counselling and community outreach.
As the partnership evolves, a three-arm implementation study across Ananthapuramu, Guntur, and Bapatla will compare digital-only, blended online, and in-person training approaches. This will generate robust evidence on effectiveness and scalability, informing state and national integration within routine health systems.
