Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan’s Ministry of Health and World Health Organization’s country office convened health sector partners to discuss key priorities ahead of monsoons and expected heatwaves.
The participants reviewed healthcare sector’s preparedness for emergencies, natural disasters, and climate-induced catastrophes.
They particularly discussed reproductive health care amidst calamities and situations that cause forced displacements.
National institutions and ministries are on alert as Pakistan braces for an intense summer season and unexpected heavy rainfalls.
.@WHOPakistan and the Ministry of Health convened the health sector partners to discuss key priorities such as reproductive health care during emergencies, preparedness for the monsoon, the heatwave & natural disasters. Adapting to climate change is vital to deliver #HealthForAll pic.twitter.com/DALZhpt8V2
— WHO Pakistan (@WHOPakistan) April 23, 2025
Monsoon season is a regular annual feature of Pakistan’s climate but with climate change, the season is becoming unexpectedly intense, with downpours happening irregularly.
Flash floods hits Pakistan during the monsoon of 2022 and every year, the country is at an increased risk of flooding. Localized floods and displacements are becoming an annual occurrence.
Health care delivery becomes an immense challenge during extraordinary events. Heatwaves are also expected during this summer season, building on the pattern of the last few years.
In addition to general public guidelines on how people should protect themselves from heatwaves, the health care sector is expected to be on high alert as more and more people fall sick with heat strokes.
In the same context, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) published the Summer Hazards Contingency Plan 2025. The provincial disaster management units and NDMA have chalked out joint early warning plans and action in the face of emergency.
Pakistan finds itself among the countries most affected by climate change. A recent hailstorm in and around the capital city, Islamabad, caused damage to cars, solar panels, and other infrastructure as the size of the hail was unusually large.
Nuzhat Rana is the Managing Editor (website) at The Diplomatic Insight.
