PESHAWAR: Health department on Thursday launched Pakistan`s firstever Climate and Health Adaptation Plan to cope with the challenges posed by climate change in the province.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the plan as chief guest, Adviser to Chief Minister Ihtisham Ali said that climate change led to spread of diseases like dengue and malaria to the regions previously unaffected. The newly-introduced plan is meant to mitigate climaterelated health challenges by ensuring policy implementation, including establishment of a climate change cell in health department.

`Prior to this launch, we conducted research onhealth impacts of climate change in KP. Based on these findings, we have developed this plan, which serves as a roadmap for combating effects of climate change on health.

It will enable us to address climate-induced diseases effectively,` he said.

The Climate and Health Adaptation Plan estimates that without action, the economic burden of health challenges due to climate change in KP could exceed Rs5,541 billion by 2030. In contrast, enforcement of the proposed roadmap will require Rs315 billion.

Ihtisham Ali said that the plan demonstrated government`s commitment to addressing rising health impacts of climate change including heat stress, waterborne diseases and vector-borne illnesses. `Our priority is toprotect vulnerable groups such as women, children and elderly people,` he added.

Dr Shahid Yunis, the additional director-general health services, said that the frequency and severity of climate shocks were expected to increase in the coming decades, resulting in heightened health risks. He stressed the need for inancial investments to strengthen resilience and ensure sustainable integration of climate and health into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa planning and budgeting.

Maria Wyerd, the head of Health and Education at British High Commission, praised the initiative. `The Climate and Health Adaptation Plan presented by the KP government offers evidence-based and costeffective solutions toreduce climate-related health risks. UK is proud to support Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through meaningful technical assistance to build a better healthcare system, she added.

She said that sustainable financing for climateresilient health systems along with contribution to Pakistan National Health Adaptation Plan and the country`s international climate commitments would ensure effectiveness of the plan.

This initiative is supported by Evidence for Health programme, funded by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which provides technical assistance to federal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab governments to improve health system.