Health dept to have climate change cell

PESHAWAR: Syed Qasim Ali Shah, the Health Minister, announced the establishment of a Climate Change Cell. This cell will be part of the Health Department. It aims to address the growing health challenges posed by climate change.

He emphasized that climate-induced disasters, such as floods and other natural calamities, were among the first to impact the health sector. The minister stated, “Climate change has introduced new health challenges to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Diseases like malaria, dengue, and leishmaniasis are now making their way into the region.” He added, “Instead of merely responding to outbreaks, we must focus on preventing them. We must also prepare our health department to tackle the impacts of climate change effectively.”

He said in recent years, monsoon-triggered floods had led to a significant increase in malaria cases, particularly in the southern districts. Contaminated drinking water during floods has also resulted in the spread of gastrointestinal diseases, he pointed out.

Consequences of Climate Change

The minister said that additionally skin conditions and vector-borne diseases had become more prevalent, all of which are consequences of climate change. Extreme heat and cold waves are particularly affecting vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and women, he added.

The minister said that climate change was impacting health centers, healthcare workers, and the public alike. He said: “Climate change is the most significant public health challenge we face today. To address these challenges, the establishment of a Climate Change Cell within the Health Department is essential. All departmental actions, projects, and initiatives must be reviewed with climate change in mind.”

The minister informed that they had completed technical consultations and would soon establish the Climate Change Cell. He said the initiative marked a critical step towards making the health sector of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa more resilient to the impacts of climate change, ensuring better preparedness and response in the face of emerging health threats.

The news content provided here is sourced from The News