ISLAMABAD - The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project (KPHCIP), in collaboration with the Health Department of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, observed World Environment Day 2026 in Peshawar. The event highlighted the growing impact of climate change on public health and reaffirmed the collective commitment to building climate-resilient healthcare systems across the province.
The event was attended by Shahid Ullah Khan, Secretary of Health for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government; Dr. Syed Ijaz Shah, Chief of the Health Sector Reform Unit (HSRU); District Health Officers (DHOs); and in-charges of health facilities from across the province. The aim was to underscore the growing impact of climate change on public health and reaffirm the KP government’s commitment to building a climate-resilient healthcare system capable of effectively responding to environmental and climate-related challenges.
Addressing the participants, Shahid Ullah Khan emphasized that climate change is no longer a future concern but a present-day reality affecting health systems worldwide. He noted that Pakistan, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has experienced the adverse effects of climate-induced disasters, including floods, heatwaves, and disease outbreaks, which place significant pressure on healthcare services and infrastructure. He said that the Health Department is actively working to strengthen preparedness, emergency response mechanisms, and resilience across the province’s healthcare network to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential health services during emergencies. He also appreciated the contributions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project in supporting the government’s efforts to build a stronger and more resilient healthcare system.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Syed Ijaz Shah highlighted that climate change has fundamentally altered health systems across the world, creating new challenges for healthcare infrastructure, service delivery, and disease control. He added that the increasing frequency of climate-related emergencies requires healthcare systems to become more adaptive and resilient. He commended the efforts of the Health Component of the KPHCIP, which is contributing significantly to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving the capacity of health facilities to withstand environmental and climate-related shocks.
Dr. Muhammad Bilal Khan, Project Director of KPHCIP, highlighted that the project is investing in the development of climate-resilient health infrastructure, strengthening primary healthcare facilities, and improving service delivery across target districts. He noted that KPHCIP is implementing measures to enhance the resilience of health facilities and ensure continued access to quality healthcare services during environmental emergencies. He shared that the Health Component of KPHCIP supports the KP government in improving maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes, strengthening primary healthcare services, upgrading health facilities, promoting digital health innovations, and enhancing institutional capacity for effective healthcare management.
Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, KPHCIP continues to support efforts aimed at improving healthcare services and building resilient health systems across the province. The event concluded with a renewed commitment from all participants to promote environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and improved public health through coordinated efforts and continued investment in resilient healthcare systems.
