25
Jan

Pakistan is one of the high-risk countries in terms of effects of Climate Change. Pakistan is facing some of the highest disaster risk levels in the world, ranked 18 out of 191 countries by the 2019 Inform Risk Index. This risk is driven particularly by the nation’s exposure to earthquakes and the risks of internal conflict. However, Pakistan also has high exposure to flooding, including, riverine, flash, and coastal, as well as some exposure to tropical cyclones and their associated hazards, and drought.

The devastating floods in Pakistan has caused severe damage to live and livelihood of the population[1]. It is reported that more than 33 million people have been affected because of floods and the damages now are expected to cost more than USD 30 billion. Pakistan, which is already encountering constraints in the macro-fiscal context, is now facing an upheaval task in managing the fiscal space for health because of floods, thus creating a challenge for health financing.

In terms of health, Pakistan is one of the countries where access to health and health-related indicators is a major concern. Pakistan being a low- and middle-income country faces a lack of access to health and health-related socioeconomic indicators. About 39% of the population suffers from multi-dimensional poverty. Considering the Maternal Mortality Rate Index (MMRI), in 2015, Pakistan ranked at 149 out of 179 countries. The country has been trying to achieve the SDG goals by going through a DCP3 exercise and rolling out Essential Packages of Health Services (EPHS) with help from World Bank and other donors. The country is also working to develop its first health financing strategy and has been a very active supporter of Global Action Plan, with all GAP partners joining an in-country mission in 2020 to discuss strengthening their support to PHC through UHC[2].

In this session we would like to use Pakistan as an example of a country where health financing agencies are working closely with the government to address the gaps in funding, aligning their support and providing technical assistance. While at the same time, the country is hit by severe impact of climate posing threat to sustaining the investment in health and other sectors.

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/15/climate/pakistan-floods-global-warming.html

[2] https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240050846