An estimated 1.8 million people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are at risk of health issues induced by climate change, according to a recent report. This alarming statistic highlights the increasing vulnerability of the region’s population to climate-related health challenges, including a rise in vector-borne diseases and respiratory illnesses due to extreme weather conditions and changing environmental patterns.
In response to these findings, the KP provincial health department has launched an adaptation plan aimed at addressing these health risks. A representative from the Chief Minister’s office described this plan as a policy framework designed to tackle the health challenges posed by climate change effectively.
The adaptation plan is part of broader efforts to enhance public health resilience in KP, which faces significant threats from climate-induced disasters such as floods and heatwaves.
The Climate Health Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Assessment (CHVA) conducted in late 2024 revealed that without immediate action, the burden on KP’s already strained health system will intensify. Projections indicate that diseases like malaria and dengue could see increases of 30-40%, while diarrheal diseases might rise by 10-20% due to worsening environmental conditions.
The report emphasizes that vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly, are particularly at risk and require urgent attention and resources to mitigate these impacts.