Climate change is intensifying the spread of malaria in Pakistan, with the country now witnessing more than 2 million cases annually, according to a joint warning issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services.
The warning, issued on World Malaria Day, highlighted the increasing burden of the disease and the urgent need for coordinated action to curb its rise.
The WHO’s international theme for World Malaria Day, “Reinvest, Reimagine, Renew”, emphasized the need for greater investment and a renewed focus on eliminating malaria. Both the WHO and Pakistan have called for increased collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that resources are not a limiting factor in the fight against malaria.
Pakistan's battle with malaria has been complicated by the devastating floods of 2022, which added 6.6 million new malaria cases in the 2022-2024 period. The most recent data indicates a surge to 2.7 million malaria cases in 2023, compared to 399,000 cases in 2021. The total malaria burden in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region is estimated at 12 million cases in 2023, marking a staggering 137% increase compared to 2015.
Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made in malaria prevention and treatment. In 2024, Pakistan screened over 11.4 million suspected cases and treated 2 million confirmed cases, with significant support from the WHO and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Furthermore, over 7.8 million insecticide-treated nets have been distributed in high-risk districts, a substantial increase from 2.7 million in 2023.
The WHO expressed confidence in Pakistan’s efforts to combat malaria, emphasizing that the elimination of the disease is achievable if all stakeholders commit to investing and collaborating to strengthen response mechanisms, particularly in the face of climate-induced challenges.
The WHO's data from 5,575 health facilities across 80 affected districts reveals a stark increase in malaria cases, directly correlated to climate change factors like rising temperatures and frequent floods. These environmental shifts, along with poverty, limited access to quality healthcare, and deteriorating security in areas like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh, have exacerbated the malaria crisis.
The current evidence underscores the effectiveness of malaria control programs. However, experts stress that sustainable and coordinated actions are critical to mitigating the impacts of climate change and ensuring the long-term health and well-being of Pakistan’s population.
As the country grapples with these mounting challenges, the WHO and Pakistan’s government have reaffirmed their commitment to saving lives and securing a healthier future for all. The urgent call to action underscores the need for both local and global cooperation to address the intertwined threats of malaria and climate change.
