AKU, PDMA unite to tackle heatwave crisis in Pakistan

KARACHI: In response to the escalating threat of extreme heat events in Pakistan, the Centre of Excellence for Trauma and Emergencies (CETE) at Aga Khan University (AKU), in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), has launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at raising public awareness and developing strategic measures to mitigate the impact of heatwaves.

Funded by Elrha, the ‘Heat Emergency Awareness and Treatment’ project seeks to address the growing public health crisis through exposure treatment strategies and the development of a comprehensive heat plan.

The project was officially set in motion during a stakeholder meeting that brought together high-profile officials including assistant commissioners, additional deputy commissioners, and district health officers from various districts across Sindh.

Among the notable participants were Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz, Chief Meteorologist of the Pakistan Meteorological Department; Imdad Hussain Siddiqui, Director of Operations at PDMA and representatives from Rescue 1122 and Sindh Integrated Emergency and Health Services. The presence of these key players underscores the urgency and importance of a unified approach to tackling heatwaves in the region.

“Extreme heat is a rapidly growing public health crisis, especially for cities in Pakistan,” said Dr. Junaid Razzak, Director of CETE. “Given its impact, cities need to have clear action plans with well-defined triggers. We look forward to partnering with PDMA and other partners to provide necessary technical support to develop such plans.”

A consensus was reached on the need for a more effective and institutionalized District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), enhanced coordination on heatwave management across districts, and a stronger focus on launching an effective communication campaign between government departments and non-profit organisations.

All stakeholders agreed to regular meetings to tackle this issue and were on board with the development of a Heatwave Management Plan for adversely affected districts. Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz, Chief Meteorologist of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, stated, “We need to understand the phenomenon of heatwaves and how they are generated. It’s not only the daytime temperature that triggers a heatwave alert; heatwaves are complex events influenced by various factors. Comprehensive understanding and monitoring of these elements are crucial for effective heatwave management and timely alerts.”

Imdad Hussain Siddiqui, Director of Operations at PDMA, added, “AKU has taken a big step in gathering different stakeholders under one roof on a very important topic, and this should be a continuous process.”

As part of the grant, CETE has developed an animated awareness video on heat emergencies and their management, which is being disseminated via social media channels to educate the public.