Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan — An estimated 1.8 million people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are at risk of severe health issues due to climate change, according to a new research-based adaptation plan released by the provincial health department. The plan highlights that residents may face life-threatening challenges from natural disasters such as floods and landslides, along with increased incidences of diseases and fatalities.
The “Climate and Health Adaptation” plan, launched this month by the KP Health Department with support from the Evidence for Health programme and funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, paints a grim picture for the region’s healthcare system. The report forecasts a surge in health crises caused by environmental degradation and climate change, with concerns about reduced productivity, premature mortality, and rising seasonal diseases.
According to the plan, vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue are expected to rise by 30–40%, while waterborne diseases like diarrhoea may increase by 20% due to frequent flooding and deteriorating water quality. Additionally, diseases like cholera and viral hepatitis A are set to strain the healthcare infrastructure further. Respiratory illnesses, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are also predicted to increase by 20% due to worsening air pollution.
Hospitals in the province are expected to see a 20% rise in patient inflow, placing a heavy burden on the already overstretched healthcare services. The mental health impact of climate change is equally alarming, with a 38% increase in depression, 20% rise in anxiety, and a 43% surge in stress among vulnerable groups after the 2022 floods. The repeated climate shocks, such as displacement and livelihood disruption, have only exacerbated mental health challenges.
The health sector’s vulnerability to climatic changes has been classified as “extremely vulnerable,” particularly in areas like Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, and Mansehra. Six additional districts — Swabi, Khyber, Abbottabad, Bajaur, Bannu, and Nowshera — are considered to be at “high risk.”
Dr. Asif Izhar, a medical specialist at the Police and Services Hospital in Peshawar, has observed the duration of seasonal diseases growing longer. He pointed out that diseases like dengue, which previously lasted a month, now persist for up to three months, with antibiotic resistance further complicating treatment.
Dr. Mahwish Naeem, a technical adviser for the Evidence for Health programme, stressed the importance of proactive measures, urging a shift from reactive to preventative strategies. She also called for better data systems and predictive modeling to monitor and prepare for the worsening health challenges posed by climate change.
Climate expert Dr. Hameed Jamali noted that rising temperatures are causing viral diseases, like dengue, to spread to northern regions where they were previously unheard of. He emphasized that these changes are directly linked to the warming climate, which has created more favorable conditions for the survival of disease-carrying mosquitoes.
In response, the provincial government has unveiled the Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan as a strategic framework to address climate-related health challenges. Ihtesham Ali, the CM’s aide on health, revealed that the plan will focus on tailoring healthcare interventions to the specific needs of different areas, particularly those affected by seasonal diseases. For the first time, a Climate Change Cell will be established in KP to monitor climate-related changes and provide real-time data for informed policy implementation.
As KP grapples with the impacts of climate change, the provincial health department is committed to strengthening its healthcare response and ensuring that communities are better equipped to deal with the impending health crises.
For more updates, stay tuned.
