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Energy resilience in healthcare in Pakistan could help save 175,000 lives by 2030

Developing flexible energy systems to power health facilities in Pakistan could prevent more than 175,000 deaths by 2030, a new study by the United Nations Children’s Fund says.

Improving energy resilience will also contribute $296 million to the country’s fragile economy over the next 20 years by reducing maternal, adult and infant mortality, UNICEF said.

The study, conducted by UNICEF’s Economic Impact Unit and published on Friday, comes as Pakistan experiences a severe heatwave that has sickened thousands of people, increasing the burden on the country’s healthcare system.

Temperatures in various parts of Pakistan rose to 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday. Authorities urge people to stay home, drink fluids, and avoid unnecessary travel. Demand for energy has increased due to rising temperatures, putting pressure on existing electricity sources.

Resilient energy refers to reliable, flexible, accessible and high-quality energy supplies that can withstand and recover quickly from unexpected shocks, such as power outages and floods, UNICEF said.

She said providing more flexible energy supplies to schools would reduce school dropout rates and improve children’s learning so they can earn more in the future.

“Children depend on schools, health centers and safe drinking water for their survival, but these facilities often do not have electricity supply to function optimally,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. Sweeping the country, electricity needs have skyrocketed, creating shortages that could put children’s health at risk.

UNICEF said 3.5 billion people live without reliable electricity around the world.

She said climate change is contributing to the disruption of power generation and distribution in Pakistan, where climate-triggered monsoon rain floods in 2022 killed 1,739 people. She said nearly half of the water infrastructure, such as storage tanks, wells and supply lines, was damaged by the floods.

Pakistan this year recorded its wettest April since 1961, with rain falling at a rate more than twice normal for the month. Heavy rains last month killed it Dozens of people and destruction of property and agricultural lands.

Daytime temperatures in May rose as much as 8°C (14°F) above average temperatures for the month over the past 20 years, raising fears of flooding in the northwest due to melting glaciers.

UNICEF said it helped restore water systems for 350,000 people in 375 locations after the 2022 floods, and also implemented several solar electrification initiatives in Pakistan.

“Pakistan has an abundance of renewable resources, and by investing in them, we are tapping into a goldmine to help children,” Fazil said. “We need the private sector to play a bigger role because public sector resources will not be enough. This is everyone’s business.”

—Muir Ahmed, Associated Press


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