Nurses on the Front Lines: How Climate Change Shapes Their Work in South Africa

South Africa’s primary health clinics are facing a new kind of challenge: the growing impact of climate change. Every year, hotter temperatures, unpredictable rains, and more intense storms put extra pressure on these clinics. Nurses are the first people who see patients affected by heat‑related illnesses, water‑borne diseases, and injuries from extreme weather. Because of this, they play a key role in keeping communities healthy when the climate is unstable. Studies show that nurses in low‑ and middle‑income countries don’t always get the support they need to handle climate‑related health issues. They often lack training on how to treat heat stroke, dehydration, or the mental stress caused by natural disasters. When nurses are better prepared, they can spot early signs of climate‑linked illnesses and help patients recover faster. The new research adapts a survey originally designed to measure climate awareness among health workers. It looks specifically at South African nurses working in primary care settings.

The goal is to understand how much they know about climate change, what motivates them to act, and which actions they already take. Findings suggest that many nurses are aware of the connection between weather patterns and health, but few have received formal training. Motivation often comes from seeing patients suffer during heat waves or floods, which pushes them to learn more. However, time constraints and limited resources mean that many practical steps—such as providing cooling stations or advising on safe water use—are rarely implemented. The study highlights a gap: nurses need more education, tools, and institutional backing to respond effectively. Improving training could help them adapt clinic protocols, educate patients, and support community resilience against climate‑related threats. The research calls for policy makers to invest in climate‑ready health care. By equipping nurses with knowledge and resources, South Africa can strengthen its primary health system against the rising risks of a warming world.

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