Islamabad — Pakistan is actively pursuing a $13 million grant from the World Health Organization (WHO) to fund climate resilience training aimed at strengthening the nation’s health systems against climate impacts. The proposed funding will support specialized training programs as part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to safeguard health in the face of growing climate challenges.
This initiative follows a comprehensive vulnerability assessment conducted with international support, underscoring the urgency of adapting healthcare infrastructure to address climate-related risks. At a recent conference, Dr. Mehreen Mujtaba, Director of Nutrition at the Ministry of National Health Services, announced Pakistan’s intent to launch a National Health Adaptation Plan. This plan will specifically address health vulnerabilities linked to climate change, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to proactive adaptation measures.
The conference, themed “Building Resilient Health Systems in the Wake of Climate Crisis in South Asia,” was hosted by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Experts from across South Asia gathered to assess climate-related health risks and discuss sustainable adaptation solutions. In her remarks, Dr. Mujtaba emphasized the role of the Ministry of National Health Services in global health initiatives, sharing that Pakistan has endorsed a health-focused declaration at COP-28 to mitigate climate impacts on public health. “Climate change presents serious health challenges that our systems must be prepared to address,” she stated.
Panelists at the conference, including Dr. Meghnath Dhimal, an Environmental Health Scientist from Nepal, and Dr. Robert Marten from AHSPR in Geneva, urged the formation of a sustainable financial framework to support climate adaptation in health. Dr. Dhimal highlighted rising cases of heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and respiratory problems, all exacerbated by climate change, and called for comprehensive integration of climate adaptation in health policies.
Dr. Syed Manzoor Ahmed Hanifi from Bangladesh’s ICDDR-B pointed to the economic benefits of investing in resilient health infrastructure. “Investing in climate-resilient health systems is not only crucial for public health but also for regional economic stability,” he noted.
The panel concluded by stressing the need for strong partnerships among governments, NGOs, and private sectors, emphasizing that a resilient health system is essential to protect vulnerable communities as climate crises intensify in South Asia.
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