Experts Urge Pakistan to Strengthen Climate Defenses Amid Health Crisis

ISLAMABAD: Health and environmental experts in Pakistan are calling for immediate action to tackle the escalating health risks associated with climate change, following a stark warning from a recent Lancet report. The report highlights that rising heat-related deaths, floods, and droughts are outpacing global efforts to combat climate change, necessitating urgent reforms in the country’s disaster response strategies.

The 2026 Lancet Countdown report, unveiled at the British Library in London, emphasizes the need for climate change to be declared a ‘global health emergency.’ It reveals that average annual heat-related deaths worldwide have surged by 36% since the Paris Agreement, with 710,000 deaths linked to heat in 2023 alone, over 70% of which are attributed to human-induced climate change. The economic toll is staggering, with heat-related losses estimated at $1.07 trillion in 2025.

This alarming trend poses significant implications for Pakistan, where the health sector is already under strain. Experts are urging the government to implement climate-proof hospitals, establish early warning systems, and develop comprehensive heat action plans to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events on public health.

In light of these findings, health officials are advocating for a national dialogue on climate resilience and health preparedness. Upcoming meetings are expected to focus on integrating climate change into health policies and enhancing infrastructure to withstand climate-related challenges.