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Climate change is likely to adversely affect human health through a number of ways, especially with regard to increased frequency and intensity of heat waves, cyclones, floods, droughts, etc.
As per National Disaster Management Authority’s National Disaster Management Plan 2019 (NDMP, 2019), various nodal and supportive Ministries/departments have been mandated to address various facets of managing such hazards including preparedness, response and mitigation of health risks associated with such hazards.
Accordingly, Union Health Ministry taking note of health risk associated with such hazards and the supportive role mandated under NDMP, 2019 has undertaken a number of activities under the National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), with objectives to create awareness, capacity building, health sector preparedness and response and collaborative partnerships. Key activities undertaken under the initiative to mitigate health risks associated with such hazards likely to be accentuated by climate change include:
- A National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health has been developed, which outlines the key priority and actionable areas at various levels (national and state) in the health sector with identification of other key stakeholders for implementing the activities.
- Early warning Alerts of environmental concerns are initiated to integrate with the health sector- Heatwave (March-July), Cold Wave (Dec-Jan) forecasts and Flood alerts from IMD to States; Air Quality forecasts from Indian Meteorological Department to States and Indian Cities. Air quality data are also shared from CPCB to states for the programme purposes.
- Issuance of seasonal health advisories to States on climate sensitive health issues related to air pollution, heat, cold waves, floods etc.;
- Annual conduct of nationwide public awareness campaigns on World Health Day (April), World Environment Day (June), International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (September), International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (October).
- Conduct of National level workshops, training of state-level master trainers, district level trainings on Air pollution related illnesses and Surveillance; Extreme weather events; Health Vulnerability Needs Assessment; Green & Climate Resilient Infrastructure and WASH, Climate Change and Vector Borne Disease, Nutrition and Allergic Health issues
- Environmental health surveillance is conducted on air pollution and heat-related illnesses at central and state levels
- Under the National Health Mission funds are provided to States/UTs regarding Green/Low carbon emission measures.
- Further, incorporation of principles of Green & Climate Resilient Hospitals has been made under Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), 2022.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued comprehensive & Public Health Guidelines for Flood Events & which provides details on common public health effects due to floods, rapid need assessment, disease surveillance during and after flood with a particular focus on water and food borne diseases; vector-borne diseases, and water, sanitation issues etc.
28 states have made their state-level Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health with respect to specific actions to be initiated in their states.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. S P Singh Baghel stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha yesterday.
