Karachi: The Centre of Excellence for Trauma and Emergencies (CETE) at Aga Khan University (AKU), in partnership with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), is spearheading an initiative to combat the increasing severity of heatwaves in Pakistan. A significant stakeholder meeting under the ‘Heat Emergency Awareness and Treatment’ project was held to discuss strategies for improving heatwave management and public awareness across the region.

According to The Aga Khan University, the meeting was part of a broader effort funded by Elrha to develop a comprehensive Heat Plan to mitigate the impact of climate change. This initiative brought together various high-level officials and experts, including Assistant Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioners, and health officers from Sindh, as well as Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz from the Pakistan Meteorological Department and Imdad Hussain Siddiqui from PDMA, underscoring a collaborative approach to this critical issue.

Dr. Junaid Razzak, Director of CETE, emphasized the need for clear action plans and triggers for cities to respond effectively to heat emergencies. The meeting achieved a consensus on enhancing the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), improving inter-district coordination, and launching a robust communication campaign among government and non-profit entities.

Chief Meteorologist Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz highlighted the complexity of heatwaves, noting that effective management requires a comprehensive understanding and monitoring of various meteorological factors beyond just high temperatures.

Imdad Hussain Siddiqui, Director of Operations at PDMA, praised AKU’s efforts in convening diverse stakeholders to address this pressing issue and called for continued collaboration.

Additionally, CETE has developed an animated video to raise public awareness about heat emergencies, which is being shared across social media platforms.