United for Survival: Stakeholders Back ‘One Health Pakistan’ to Combat Climate and Health Crises
Stakeholders across health, climate, and environment sectors unite under the ‘One Health Pakistan’ initiative, aiming for a collaborative response to climate-driven health threats. Discover the national strategy and cross-sectoral plans.
One Health Pakistan is no longer an abstract concept — it’s a national imperative. Amid escalating climate disasters, public health threats, and biodiversity collapse, experts across sectors are sounding the alarm for Pakistan to adopt a unified, cross-sectoral response. With the convergence of human, animal, and environmental health challenges, Pakistan’s resilience depends on how quickly and cohesively it can act.
What Is One Health Pakistan?
The One Health Pakistan initiative integrates health, climate, environmental, and wildlife sectors under a common platform. Spearheaded by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), the goal is to build a national workforce and strategy capable of pandemic preparedness, environmental risk assessment, and disease surveillance.
This initiative follows the global One Health approach, which has been endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to address interlinked threats like zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-induced health impacts.
High-Level Meeting Sparks National Dialogue
On July 22, 2025, a pivotal high-level consultative meeting took place at COMSTECH Conference Room in Islamabad, co-hosted by the Health Services Academy and MoCC&EC. The event brought together:
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WHO, FAO, ADB, World Bank, WWF-Pakistan
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National policymakers, academics, and environmentalists
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Development and wildlife experts
Key Opening Remarks
Dr. Junaid Sarfraz, speaking on behalf of Prof. Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, welcomed the guests and emphasized the academic sector’s role in workforce development for climate-health resilience.
Dr. Tariq Mahmood Ali, National Coordinator for One Health, highlighted the initiative’s goal: to create a coordinated response system for pandemics driven by environmental degradation and climate extremes.
Key Stakeholder Voices & Policy Commitments
Dr. Nelson Azeem: Parliamentary Push for Action
Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr. Nelson Azeem emphasized:
“We must reaffirm our collective commitment to the One Health Pakistan initiative. The challenges we face are interlinked — and so must be our solutions.”
His address underlined the urgency of integrating ministries, health sectors, and civil society into a collaborative framework to protect human, animal, and environmental health.
Muhammad Asif Sahibzada: Climate Lens on Health
Director General of MoCC&EC, Muhammad Asif Sahibzada, warned of the risks posed by:
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Climate change
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Biodiversity loss
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Antimicrobial resistance
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Pollution
He advocated for stronger early warning systems, cross-sector training, and robust institutional frameworks.
Dr. Shabana Saleem: Health Leadership Joins the Fight
Director General Health, Dr. Shabana Saleem, stressed that climate impacts — from vector-borne diseases to air pollution — disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. She called for health-centric climate adaptation strategies.
Strategic Actions Proposed for One Health Implementation
Institutionalising One Health Units
Muhammad Azim Khoso, Director (Urban Affairs) at MoCC&EC, proposed creating One Health Units in each province, funded through:
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Annual Development Plans (ADPs)
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Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP)
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International pandemic preparedness funds
These units would:
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Collect real-time climate and disease data
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Report to a federal interface
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Enhance inter-provincial coordination
Roadmap for Advocacy and Public Engagement
Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, Deputy Director at MoCC&EC, laid out an ambitious roadmap to engage:
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Policy leaders
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Health professionals
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Community organizations
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Media influencers
He recommended:
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SMART goals for advocacy
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Specialized training programs
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Mass awareness campaigns via digital and traditional media
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite a strong vision, the One Health Pakistan initiative faces hurdles:
Institutional Barriers
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Lack of coordination between ministries
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Weak data-sharing mechanisms
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Underfunded public health infrastructure
Capacity Constraints
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Limited training in zoonotic and climate-linked disease surveillance
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Absence of interdisciplinary programs in public health and veterinary sciences
Public Awareness Deficit
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Low understanding of environmental health linkages
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Inadequate engagement with local communities
Conclusion: A National Imperative for Pakistan
The One Health Pakistan initiative is not just timely — it’s vital. The July 22 meeting has set the stage for real collaboration. Participants from across national and international platforms reaffirmed their support for a unified, integrated, and science-based health response framework.
With strong political will, strategic funding, and public engagement, One Health Pakistan can transform the country’s pandemic preparedness, improve community health outcomes, and build resilience against future climate shocks.
As the world enters an era of health insecurity driven by environmental upheaval, Pakistan’s unified front under One Health Pakistan could serve as a model for regional cooperation and sustainable development.
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