Government Unveils Health Strategy to Combat Climate Change's Growing Health Threats

Officials have outlined a comprehensive plan to adapt healthcare services to a changing climate and the escalating risks of associated diseases. The Ministry of Health and Prevention has identified six key areas of climate-related concern to prioritize in future health service planning. These priorities include heat-related illnesses, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria. The planning will also extend to waterborne and foodborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid, and norovirus, as well as mental health challenges linked to climate change.

Following a record-breaking 2024, which saw global temperatures temporarily exceed 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels, the increase in humid and hotter days heightens the risk of heat exhaustion and places greater strain on the heart and lungs. In response, plans developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and other health authorities aim to enhance the integration of health and environmental policies.

"As our climate changes, the risks to our health change with it," stated Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention. "Heat, dust and extreme weather affect people’s health in very real ways. Our responsibility is to anticipate these risks and protect our communities before people fall ill." The strategy consolidates data, expertise, and institutional efforts to establish early warning systems and prepare health services for the impacts of climate-related events, with a strong emphasis on disease prevention.

Early warnings for heat and air quality will empower individuals to take protective measures before exposure leads to illness. Concurrently, healthcare centers will be equipped with resilient medical supply chains and coordinated emergency plans to ensure the continuity of essential care during disruptions. The Earth's warming trend, currently at approximately 0.35°C to 0.4°C per decade, nearly doubles the average rate observed between 1970 and 2015. Poor air quality is a significant risk factor for conditions like asthma and other respiratory ailments.

Under the proposed measures, healthcare professionals will receive enhanced training to manage the increasing burden of climate-related illnesses. "This plan includes developing the skills of healthcare professionals, expanding specialised research, improving emergency preparedness and increasing the resilience of healthcare facilities," explained Dr Hussain Al Rand, assistant undersecretary for public health at the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

Data highlights the severity of the issue, with an estimated 62,775 heat-related deaths recorded across 32 European countries in 2024, and over 1,161 deaths in North America attributed to record temperatures, according to the Institute for Global Health. As the planet warms, the potential for increased transmission of vector-borne diseases, carried by mosquitoes and other insects, could strain health systems, leading to higher hospital admissions. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported 4,000 dengue-related deaths and over five million cases in more than 90 countries in 2025, while the World Health Organisation noted an increase in malaria deaths from approximately 598,000 in 2023 to 610,000 in 2024.

Dr Gopal Chawla, a consultant pulmonologist at NMC Royal Hospital DIP, Dubai, commented that the government's plan acknowledges climate change as a critical public health challenge. "I regularly see patients with asthma, COPD and other respiratory conditions whose symptoms worsen during dust storms, poor air quality and extreme weather," he observed. "Beyond respiratory illnesses, changing temperatures and rainfall patterns can influence mosquito populations and the spread of vector-borne diseases. Predictive surveillance could help identify emerging hotspots, enabling earlier public health interventions." Dr Chawla suggested that AI-driven models, integrating environmental data, weather patterns, disease surveillance, and clinical records, could identify vulnerable populations and anticipate health risks, thereby improving hospital forecasts for patient admissions, resource allocation, and emergency preparedness.

Dr Muhammed Aslam, a pulmonologist at the International Modern Hospital in Dubai, emphasized the importance of prioritizing prevention, early detection, and public awareness alongside treatment. "In respiratory care, that includes optimising asthma and COPD management, promoting vaccinations, educating patients about air-quality alerts and protecting vulnerable groups," he stated. "Strengthening disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and healthcare infrastructure will help reduce preventable illnesses and ensure continuity of care during climate-related emergencies."