CLIMATE change is affecting the humanity in so many different ways. Not only climate induced disasters directly bring death to people and destruction to critical infrastructure but also carry catastrophic health impacts.
A revelation was made at the annual meeting of World Economic Forum that there has been a huge surge in malaria and tuberculosis cases in Pakistan due to recent devastating floods.
There is no doubt that our authorities in cooperation with the international community responded immediately in the flood affected areas to avert another disaster due to breakout of water borne diseases but the uptick in the cases of Malaria and TB, though no figure was given by the Chief Director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Turberculosis and Malaria, should be a matter of serious concern and needful should be done to stay well prepared and equipped to timely and effectively meet with any such situation in future.
This is really unfortunate that the people whose health is being harmed first and worst by the climate crisis are the ones who have little or no contribution at all to its causes but they are least able to protect themselves and their families against it.
Whilst the world community has shown generosity at Geneva conference by pledging about $ 9.7 billion dollars for reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood affected areas of Pakistan, it is really important that a strong and quality health infrastructure is also built which could effectively respond in case of any emergency arising out of any pandemics or disasters.
For this we will also need technical assistance from technologically advanced countries.
We will also have to focus on training more healthcare professionals and promoting research in the health sector.
Our current health infrastructure especially in the public sector is in poor state which needs to be revamped immediately to cater to the rising population.
Understanding the threats that climate change poses to human health is the first step in working together to lower risks and be prepared.
Hence, we will also have to carve out campaigns to create awareness amongst the people as to how they can stay save from water borne diseases in the wake of disasters.
