PTI | New Delhi
The Centre has issued an updated advisory to all states and Union territories asking them to ensure chest clinics in government health facilities and medical colleges under its National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) to tackle air pollution-related diseases.
During the peak air pollution months (usually from September to March), the clinics are expected to function for a fixed duration of at least two hours daily.
Issuing instructions for immediate action, the Union health ministry has sent 33-page guidelines to the states and Union territories stating that cases of respiratory and cardiac diseases tend to rise due to pollution and therefore, hospitals must maintain special preparedness.
These chest clinics can be established at community health centres, district hospitals, and medical colleges in urban areas, covering all such facilities in cities under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initially.
They will screen the patients for risk factors, confirm diagnosis, give treatment and long-term care to patients suffering from respiratory and heart diseases aggravated due to pollution, the advisory said.
The ministry also asked the facilities to maintain records of these patients through state or national level digital tools such as (Integrated Health Information Platform) IHIP. A register of individuals identified as being at high risk is to be maintained, and details of the high-risk individuals may also be shared with the respective blocks for community-based follow-up through ASHA, ANM, and CHO.
The advisory called for training of doctors and staffs to manage respiratory and cardiovascular cases strengthening support to manage cases attributed to air pollution.
These clinics should also promote behaviour change and adoption of healthy practices to potential and diagnosed cases of air pollution-related cardio-pulmonary illnesses.
In a letter to the chief secretaries, Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said during the winter months, air quality in several regions across the country frequently reaches poor to severe levels, posing a significant health challenge.
“Together, we can work towards a healthier, cleaner and more resilient ecosystem,” she said.
The advisory stated that children particularly under 5 years, elderly, pregnant women, patients with asthma or heart diseases, those from low socio-economic conditions having poor nutritional status and belonging to outdoor working groups are at the highest risk.
The ministry also advised healthcare facilities to ensure adequate medicines, oxygen cylinders, nebulizers, ventilators, and hospital beds, sketchers, Wheelchairs, and ambulances and have proper referral mechanisms in place.
Health departments including healthcare facilities have been asked to strictly monitor daily AQI levels during such high air pollution days or months as reported from pollution control boards
States have been asked to minimise pollution by mitigating or reducing from sources such as construction sites and burning of wastes, crop residues, plastics, bottles and food wrappers etc.
