Islamabad: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project, in collaboration with the provincial Health Department, marked World Environment Day 2026 with an awareness event in Peshawar, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building a climate-resilient healthcare system, says a press release.
Secretary Health Shahid Ullah Khan, Chief Health Sector Reform Unit Dr Syed Ijaz Shah, district health officers and in-charges of health facilities from across the province attended the event, according to a press release.
Addressing participants, Mr Khan said climate change was “no longer a future concern but a present-day reality” impacting health systems worldwide. He noted that Pakistan, and particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had borne the brunt of climate-induced disasters, including floods, heatwaves and disease outbreaks, which were placing severe strain on healthcare infrastructure.
“The Health Department is strengthening preparedness and emergency response mechanisms across the province to ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential services during crises,” he said, while appreciating the project’s contribution to building a more resilient health network.
Dr Syed Ijaz Shah said climate change had altered healthcare delivery globally by increasing the frequency of climate-related emergencies. He commended the Health Component of the KP Human Capital Investment Project for upgrading facilities and enhancing their capacity to withstand environmental shocks.
Project Director Dr Muhammad Bilal Khan said the World Bank-funded project was investing in climate-resilient health infrastructure, strengthening primary healthcare and improving service delivery in target districts.
