WHO partners with the Government of Pakistan and provincial and regional health departments to improve the prevention, control and treatment of communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
Communicable diseases
Communicable diseases are the prime cause of morbidity and mortality in Pakistan, the result of a combination of socioeconomic, environmental and behavioural risk factors.
WHO works closely with national authorities in strengthening policies, structures and services to reduce the communicable disease burden. Key interventions by WHO include support to address priorities such as improving blood safety procedures and fighting diseases such tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis (A, B, C and D), malaria and other vector-borne diseases such as leishmaniasis, dengue, chikungunya and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.
Noncommunicable diseases
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with a significant burden in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to rapid urbanization, aging populations and the proliferation of unhealthy lifestyle practices.
In Pakistan, NCDs account for approximately 47.22% of total deaths, with major contributors including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory illnesses. The prevalence of behavioural and metabolic risk factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets and hypertension exacerbates the health burden, threatens individual well-being and economic growth, underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions and the implementation of evidence-based frameworks.
Among other activities, WHO supports Pakistan address priorities such as improved mental health services, tobacco control, diabetes prevention and treatment and support for people with disabilities.
