Health

Pakistan is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change and faces severe health challenges primarily due to its environmental and socio-economic context. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns expand the habitat for disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes. Diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya are on the rise, especially after heavy rains and flooding particularly in the monsoon season. The water scarcity issue leading to poor water quality and inadequate sanitation exacerbate the prevalence of diarrheal diseases, particularly among children. The global warming has also intensified air pollution due to higher temperatures and stagnant air conditions. In Pakistan, major urban centers like Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar are already suffering from severe air quality issues, which exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and cardiovascular diseases.
The country has been experiencing increasingly severe and frequent heatwaves, particularly in urban areas like Karachi. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat leads to heatstroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular diseases, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, outdoor workers, and children. Climate-related impacts on agriculture have resulted in the loss in crop yields and food availability. This contributes to malnutrition, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is a primary livelihood. Malnutrition leads to stunted growth in children and weakens immune systems, increasing susceptibility to diseases.

To mitigate the impacts of climate change on health, Pakistan must need to adopt strategies that strengthen health system resilience. This includes enhancing disease surveillance and early warning systems, improving healthcare infrastructure, and promoting public health education. Strengthening disease surveillance will help detect and respond to climate-related health risks, while investment in healthcare infrastructure is critical to meeting the rising demand for services due to climate impacts. Public health campaigns that raise awareness about climate-related risks and promote preventive measures can also help communities better protect themselves.