KARACHI: Speakers at a programme held on Monday underscored the need for collaboration among stakeholders and the integration of environmental policies with public health strategies to effectively tackle the challenges posed by changing climatic conditions.

They were speaking at the 6th National Conference — Climate Change & Health: Emerging Challenges & Solutions — organised at Bahria University Health Sciences Karachi Campus (BUHSCK).

The event brought together distinguished professionals, academics, policymakers, students, and researchers from across Pakistan and abroad.

In his keynote speech on climate change, population dynamics, and reproductive health outcomes, Dr Mehtab Karim, Professor Emeritus at Aga Khan University and Senior Fellow at George Mason University, said that Pakistan’s challenges were manifold, ranging from high maternal and infant mortality rates and high population growth to poor healthcare infrastructure.

“Pakistan’s population faces limited and poor reproductive health services, particularly for those from lower and lower-middle-class families living in rural areas and urban slums. We also see gender-based disparities in healthcare, and the situation is further complicated for those affected by climate change,” he said.

He explained that high population growth leads to environmental stress, putting pressure on land, water, and food resources, as well as healthcare systems.

“We need to promote family planning as an adaptation strategy to control population growth and reduce strain on resources. Additionally, there is a need to strengthen healthcare systems to withstand the impacts of climate change, including mobile health clinics and community health networks,” he suggested.

Prof Zulfiqar Bhutta, a globally recognised health expert, joined virtually to share insights on child and maternal health in the context of environmental challenges.

Prof Mohammed Saeed Quraishy, Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences, stressed the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in addressing the health impacts of climate change. He called for unified efforts to integrate environmental policies with public health strategies for sustainable solutions.

Earlier, Director General BUHSCK, retired Vice Admiral Athar Mukhtar, in his welcome address, spoke about the diverse climate change challenges the country faces, highlighting the urgent need for collaborative action to address the health impacts of climate change.

In her concluding remarks, Dean of Health Sciences, retired Maj Gen Prof Shehla M Baqai, said that the climate crisis is an emergency requiring global cooperation and innovative strategies to mitigate, adapt, and become climate resilient.

The conference included scientific sessions, student research presentations, a poster competition, and panel discussions.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2024