Experts call for climate-resilient construction

Recommend roof shades, air vents, solar reflective paints as economical solutions

KARACHI:

Health experts have stressed the need to adapt Pakistan's construction patterns to mitigate the growing impact of climate change on public health, recommending shaded roofs, air vents, and solar-reflective paints as practical, low-cost solutions.

Speaking at the Health Research Symposium organized by the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) Karachi at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, renowned global health expert Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta said climate change is a "threat multiplier" that worsens economic, social, and health crises, particularly in developing countries.

He noted that rising temperatures have been linked to stunted growth in newborns and higher rates of depression and mental illness in regions where climate effects are more pronounced. "Simple changes-such as whitewashing rooftops and expanding urban tree cover-can reduce heat stress and improve community health outcomes," he said, urging the medical community to educate themselves on the health implications of climate change and make healthcare facilities more environment-friendly.

Earlier, Dr Seema Mumtaz and Dr Masood Javed conducted a research workshop demonstrating the use of AI in scientific health research.

A panel discussion on Health System Research, chaired by eminent pediatrician Prof Abdul Ghaffar Billoo, featured Prof Abdul Basit, Prof Shehzad Ali Khan, Pro Asim Jafri, Dr Farhana Shahid, Prof Zainab Samad, and Prof Minhaj Qidwai.