Climate-induced heat stress serious threat to maternal, child health in Pakistan

MATIARI: Climate change has become a serious threat, especially in a country like Pakistan that is highly vulnerable to its effects. Experts and field reports show a clear connection between rising temperatures and adverse outcomes for mothers and newborns.

Research from the Aga Khan University’s Institute of Global Health Development examined how heat stress affects pregnant women and children under five in the Matiari district of Sindh. They modeled interventions that incorporate indigenous knowledge to improve climate-resilient infrastructure and raise awareness of heat’s harmful effects within the health system.

Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta, Founding Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development, speaking with Pakistan TV Digital, emphasized that urgent action and systemic changes are essential to protect women and children from this growing threat.

‘Surprisingly, we are not even the ones responsible for climate change, and yet it affects our women and children,” he said.

Dr Jai Das, the institute's associate director, highlighted the alarming link between rising temperatures and pregnancy complications. He said that existing research shows every pregnant woman exposed to higher temperatures — such as a 1-degree increase — has a 10-15% higher chance of experiencing pre-term birth, low birth weight, or of newborns being small for their gestational age.

This finding aligns with broader studies indicating that heat exposure triggers physiological responses that lead to similar complications.

Beyond pregnancy, heat stress also disrupts women's reproductive health, especially for those in rural areas who often engage in strenuous physical labor.

Gulshad, a senior research associate at AKU Matiari Research and Training Center, said that many women face severe heat-related problems. 

“Their menstrual periods last longer and occur more frequently. Moreover, many women lack knowledge about sanitary protection,” she said.

She noted that some women's cycles became “very irregular,” while others did not have periods at all.

“The health of pregnant women is also affected, and the likelihood of miscarriages increases significantly because they work in the fields and do household chores,” she added.

These testimonies show how high temperatures, combined with physical labor and limited access to hygiene products and healthcare, cause serious menstrual irregularities.

Tackling this complex crisis requires a dual approach focusing on community awareness and healthcare system reforms.

Dr Bhutta calls for public protection and system improvements. He suggests raising public awareness, especially in rural areas, to help safeguard women, particularly pregnant women, from the heat. He also stresses the importance of providing care to quickly identify and reduce harmful effects.

He said there is a need to improve the healthcare environment, especially during the summer, as current conditions are overcrowded. This highlights the urgent need for heat-resilient infrastructure and better-trained staff to handle heat-related maternal emergencies.

The situation in provinces like Sindh is especially dire, with climate threats endangering the lives of every mother and child. Localized research is vital for developing community-informed interventions, such as heat adaptation strategies, enhanced nutritional support, and strengthened rural health systems, that can be scaled nationwide.

Addressing this climate-induced heat stress crisis requires coordinated efforts from policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to reduce risks, improve health infrastructure, and ensure that climate change does not condemn future generations to poor health.