ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2026) Minister of State for Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath on Tuesday called for integrating weather and disaster alerts issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with advance preparedness measures in the health sector. While addressing a conference on National Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, he said that upon issuance of an alert, health teams, medicines, essential medical equipment and other necessary resources should be made available in the affected districts without delay. He stressed thst climate change had become a permanent reality in Pakistan, directly affecting the population and putting additional pressure on the health system. He reiterated close coordination among the Ministry of Health, provincial health departments, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), international development and aid agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to formulate clear and practical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The Minister of State termed a trained and effective health workforce the most important component of the emergency preparedness system.