211854 Politics of water in Pakistan : Historic struggle over flow

Wednesday, November 11, 2009: 1:10 PM

Gregory Pappas, MD PhD , Senior Deputy Director, Dept. of Health, District of Columbia, Washington, DC
  
The Indus River has been the ancient water supply for the area which is now Pakistan , supporting a population of over 170 million. The agricultural sector of the country depends water flow in the Indus which in turn depends on flow of water from India . The most common motivation for murder in Pakistan has traditionally been community struggles over irrigation water. Down stream the megacity of Karachi and its 18 million people depend on the same water of the Indus ; a quarter of its population do not have piped water in their homes. Industrial pollution further exacerbates useable water supplies. Struggles over water include international political issues that are connected with community struggles over water.

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the historical and political issues associate with the control over water in the subcontinent. List the major major consequences of conflicts over water for health in Pakistan. Analyze the relationship between social determinants of health presented with health outcomes.

Keywords: Pakistan, Water

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have planned and presented similar sessions on these issues for a number of years at APHA.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Water and Politics: Contemporary Struggles Over Water Across the Globe
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