Karachi: Renowned health scientist Zulfiqar Bhutta has warned that climate change is rapidly emerging as one of the biggest threats to public health in Pakistan, worsening existing inequalities and pushing vulnerable populations into deeper health crises.
Speaking at the 1st Health Research Symposium organized by the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) on Tuesday, he said rising temperatures, poor urban planning, and environmental degradation are directly contributing to higher rates of malnutrition, respiratory illness, mental health disorders, and maternal complications.
“Climate change is a threat multiplier,” he said. “It doesn’t just affect the environment, it amplifies economic hardship, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks. The poorest and most remote communities face the heaviest toll.”
Prof. Bhutta cited recent research showing that children born in high-temperature regions of Pakistan have a higher risk of stunted growth, and that mental illnesses and depression are more prevalent in areas where climate change has hit hardest. He said that heatwaves, water scarcity, and floods are now linked to increased child mortality, malnutrition, and outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria.
He stressed that Pakistan needs to treat climate adaptation as a public health emergency. “Simple steps such as heat-resilient housing, like shaded roofs, air vents, and reflective coatings can save lives,” he said. “Whitewashing roofs and promoting urban afforestation are among the most cost-effective solutions for reducing heat stress in cities like Karachi.”
Prof Bhutta also urged healthcare professionals to take responsibility for environmental stewardship by reducing waste, improving hospital energy efficiency, and helping communities adapt to changing climate conditions. “Doctors must understand the health implications of environmental changes and advocate for those most at risk, women, children, and the elderly,” he said.
The symposium, themed “Building Resilient and Relevant Health Systems,” brought together leading national researchers and health experts, including Prof Abdul Ghaffar Billoo, Prof Abdul Basit, Prof Shahzad Ali Khan, Prof Zainab Samad, Prof Jahan Ara Hasan, and Prof Minhaj Qidwai.
Participants highlighted that while Pakistan faces multiple health challenges, it also lacks a strong research culture that connects scientific findings to policy and practice.
A panel discussion on ‘Health Systems Research’ chaired by Prof Billoo emphasized the need for institutional collaboration between the public and private sectors. Speakers said that without sustained research funding, mentoring of young investigators, and integration of evidence into health policy, Pakistan cannot achieve meaningful progress in disease prevention or service delivery.
Prof Shahzad Ali Khan, Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy, said that Pakistan’s health sector remains too dependent on external data and donor-driven priorities.
“We must build indigenous evidence to guide our health policies,” he said. “Our own researchers should lead studies on local problems, from antimicrobial resistance and maternal health to environmental hazards and nutrition.”
Prof Abdul Basit, Director of the Diabetes and Endocrinology Centre at Indus Hospital, underscored that the country’s growing burden of diabetes and cardiovascular disease is directly linked to poor health research translation. “We have brilliant scientists, but limited structures for applied research and dissemination,” he said.
The symposium began with a research workshop led by Dr Seema Mumtaz and Dr Masood Javed, focusing on research methodology, artificial intelligence in health research, grant writing, and literature search. Cash awards were announced for the best oral presentations.
Participants concluded that Pakistan’s health resilience depends on a national research agenda that encourages collaboration, prioritizes evidence-based policymaking, and trains young doctors to question, explore, and innovate. “Without a strong research foundation,” Prof Bhutta said, “our health system will always be reactive, not preventive.”
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