RAWALPINDI, April 6: The World Health Day is being observed on Monday with an objective to raise awareness and public understanding of the global and locally relevant health consequences of climate change.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has dedicated 2008 to the theme “Protecting health from climate change” in recognition of the fact that climate change was posing ever-growing threats to global public health security.

The theme puts health at the centre of the global dialogue about climate change. Through increased collaboration, the global community will be better prepared to cope with climate-related health challenges worldwide.

The objective the day is to catalyse public participation in the global campaign to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change.

The day will also be marked in Pakistan as environmental pollution in the country is growing at a faster rate and is a serious threat to its economy as well as human health.

The National Environment Policy, which is currently going through the process of a plan of action, aims at preventing, minimising and mitigating detrimental health impacts associated with environmental hazards.

There are plans to develop and enforce occupational health and safety rules and regulations, and introduce effective waste management systems in all healthcare facilities.

The environment policy is to ensure the provision of safe water and sanitation facilities mandatory for all public facilities such as hospitals and schools. Promotion and dissemination of information on preventive health care at the grassroots level is also on the agenda of the government.