How Climate Change is Affecting Malaria in Pakistan

By Sher Muhammad Baloch 

Climate change is no longer a threat to the environment; it's now a threat to human health. In Pakistan, a nation highly susceptible to climate change, the changing environment is playing a major role in the transmission of infectious diseases, including malaria. Warmer temperatures, irregular rainfall and extreme weather conditions are all contributing to the creation of a perfect environment for mosquito breeding and disease spread, thereby putting millions of people at risk and putting pressure on over-burdened health infrastructures.

Malaria, transmitted by mosquitos and caused by Plasmodium parasites, is a significant health concern in Pakistan. Thousands of cases are reported each year, many of which are laboratory confirmed. The burden is highest in rural, flood-prone and economically backward regions where health services are inadequate. Though national and provincial programs have succeeded in lowering the incidence rate, climate change may now undermine this progress.

A local case study of both the threat and the response is the district of Badin, which is vulnerable to climate impacts on the coast. The latest malaria surveillance report indicates 47,064 malaria-positive cases, up from 31,861. This growth is a result of both increased risk factors for transmission due to climate change, and improved case detection due to greater health services. Malaria screening and treatment services have been greatly enhanced in 120 public and private health facilities, including isolated coastal areas.

This improvement is due in large part to the special and collective actions of the District Health Office, Badin, and the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP). These agencies have been instrumental in scaling up malaria services in remote and vulnerable areas, also hit by climate change. They have collaborated to ensure rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), microscopy services, and effective treatment of malaria in the community.

The District Health Office has driven surveillance, monitoring, and coordination, ensuring regular collection and analysis of malaria data for timely response. NRSP has also improved outreach through community mobilisation, engaging local health providers, and encouraging private clinics to engage in malaria screening. Their collaborative efforts have also included training health professionals, strengthening reporting and the timely supply of diagnostic and medicines.

Crucially, they have also reached the coastal areas of Badin, where the population is more vulnerable due to poor infrastructure, stagnant water bodies and a lack of health facilities. Through the involvement of private clinics, NRSP and district governments have improved coverage and diagnosis. This has led to more early detection and treatment, preventing severe disease and reducing the spread of malaria.

Malaria continues to grow in such areas as a result of climate change. Higher temperatures speed up the development of Anopheles mosquitoes, and irregular rainfall leads to stagnant pools for mosquito breeding. In Badin, tidal flooding and poor drainage also contribute to the problem. These shifts are resulting in more intense and persistent malaria transmission.

The impact has been exacerbated by extreme events such as floods. The 2022 floods devastated Sindh, including Badin, flooding many areas and displacing people. Stagnant water and crowded living conditions led to a malaria outbreak. However, the proactive measures by local health authorities and organizations such as NRSP have led to better control of the outbreak compared to past years.

Climate change affects humans through social vulnerabilities, too. Poorer communities, especially in coastal and rural areas, may not have access to preventive measures like insecticide-treated bed nets and adequate housing. Their financial constraints also limit access to treatment. In such a scenario, the community education and awareness activities of NRSP and the District Health Office are important in promoting awareness and early care-seeking for malaria.

Another key outcome of these efforts is the resilience of the health system. Despite climate impacts, such as flooding, the health teams have continued to provide malaria services. Community-based screening, mobile outreach, and outbreak response have enhanced the district’s outbreak capabilities.

Malaria seasonality is shifting due to climate change. Previously, infections spiked after the monsoon, but now there is a longer transmission period, and in some locations, malaria is no longer seasonal. This demands constant vigilance, investment, and flexibility.

Pakistan has improved malaria control with measures such as bed net distributions, better diagnostic tools, and surveillance. But the Badin experience shows local collaborations and strategies are also key. The complementary efforts of government and NGOs can play a crucial role in enhancing response, even in these vulnerable and climate-threatened regions.


Finally, climate change is altering malaria transmission patterns in Pakistan, with flood- and coastal-risk-prone areas such as Badin being most vulnerable. The increase in the number of cases to 47,064 (up from 31,861) indicates both the rising risk and the effectiveness of a better detection mechanism. The efforts of the District Health Office, Badin, and the National Rural Support Programme are a prime example of how community-centred and collaborative efforts can reduce the impact of climate change on health. Ongoing effort, adaptation to climate change, and future collaboration will be required to control malaria and safeguard at-risk communities.