| Management
Well planned and executed hydropower projects can provide significant new public health benefits to previously poorly developed areas. This objective can best be achieved by not just maintaining local health conditions pre-dam, but by improving public health conditions and facilities for communities impacted by developments overall. The upgrading of electricity services to a region, and associated economic development including infrastructure, transport and other services, can provide a major opportunity to improve existing regional public health care facilities.
It is sound management practice to incorporate health impact assessment as part of the wider environmental and social impact assessment process for a hydropower scheme. Assessment of the requirements for provision of any health services and assignment of responsibility should be undertaken in conjunction with relevant health authorities. Funding health services requires long-term commitment with the role of the project proponent, government agencies and local public health officials being clearly defined to ensure that necessary resources are provided on an agreed and on-going basis.
A public health plan would include the development of preventative measures such as disease prevention education and awareness campaigns, monitoring of vectors and disease outbreaks, vector control, and clinical treatment of disease cases, as needed. Practical measures such as control of floating aquatic weeds near populated areas could reduce mosquito-borne disease risks. Mechanical or chemical treatment of shallow reservoir areas, to reduce proliferation of insects that carry waterborne diseases, also offer a means of risk reduction. |
