No conclusive data available to establish correlation of disease due to air pollution: MoS Health tells Lok Sabha
Bihar: Union Minister of State for Health, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, recently informed the Lok Sabha about the government's concerted efforts to address the growing health impacts of air pollution in India. Acknowledging that air pollution is a significant public health challenge, the Minister highlighted that the government has been implementing several key initiatives aimed at mitigating these effects.
These include the National Health Mission and the National Programme on Climate Change & Human Health, both of which form part of a broader, multi-dimensional strategy.
In addition to air pollution, climate change is increasingly being recognized as a major determinant of health. In Bihar, like many other parts of India, the effects of climate change are being felt in the form of extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and heatwaves. These events not only exacerbate respiratory diseases but also increase the prevalence of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, which thrive in changing climatic conditions.
The minister was responding to the questions raised by Shri Rajib Pratap Rudy about the number of people who have developed disabilities linked to pollution in recent years in the country, State/UT-wise, particularly in Bihar; whether studies have identified a connection between exposure to PM 2.5 and an increase in cases of lung disease and cancer, especially in Bihar, and if so, whether Bihar has the highest rate of such cases in the country;
He further inquired whether the State of Bihar is disproportionately affected in terms of health impacts due to climate change, particularly in relation to respiratory and other pollution-related diseases; if so, the reasons therefor; and
Furthermore, he inquired, about the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to equip hospitals in Bihar and States across the country to diagnose, treat, and manage health conditions caused by pollution and climate-related impacts, including any specialized facilities, personnel training, or financial assistance provided for this purpose?
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MoHFW provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs including the State of Bihar to strengthen the public healthcare system, based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under the National Health Mission.
This financial support is also provided for the implementation of the National Programme on Climate Change & Human Health for the following activities:
•To increase general awareness among all the relevant stakeholders including people especially vulnerable communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers regarding the impacts of climate change on human health and ways to address them
•Observance of important days on environment and health
•Training on climate change and health for Programme Officers, Medical Officers, Specialists, Community Health Workers, PRI members, Sentinel Site Nodal Officers
•Strengthening the Surveillance System
The Government of India has taken several steps to address air pollution issues across the country including the state of Bihar. These include:
I. Implementation of the National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health(NPCCHH) with an objective to create awareness, capacity building, health sector preparedness and response, and partnerships-related activities on the climate-sensitive health issues in the country since 2019;
i. NPCCHH, MoHFW has developed the Health Adaptation Plan for diseases due to Air Pollution.
ii. NPCCHH and MoHFW had also developed a State Action Plan on Climate Change & Human Health for all 36 States/UTs including the state of Bihar. This State-specific action plan contains a dedicated chapter on Air Pollution which suggests interventions to reduce the impact.
iii. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare issues Public Health advisories to State/UTs suggesting ways to reduce the impact of Air Pollution.
iv. Nationwide Public Awareness Campaigns are organized in coordination with States annually for World Environment Day (June), International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (September), and National Pollution Control Day (December).
v. Dedicated training modules have been developed in the area of Air Pollution for Programme Managers, Medical Officers & Nurses, Nodal Officers at Sentinel sites, Frontline workers like ASHA, vulnerable groups like women & Children, Occupationally exposed groups like Traffic Police, Municipal workers vi. IEC materials have been developed to target air pollution-related illnesses in both English and Hindi and also in regional languages. NPCCHH has also developed customized IEC materials targeting various vulnerable groups such as schoolchildren, women, and occupational vulnerable groups like municipality workers.
vii. A series of National Level Capacity Building workshops have been conducted annually to prepare Master Trainers (State level Trainers) who can cascade down the training atthe State/District level in the areas of Air pollution-related illnesses and Surveillance. NPCCHH also supported various State Level Trainings to build the capacity of District Nodal Officers in the domain areas of Air pollution
viii. Early warning systems/Alerts for Air Pollution as well as Air Quality forecasts are disseminated from the Indian Meteorological Department to States and Indian Cities to prepare the Health sector as well as the Community including vulnerable populations.
II. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).
III. The Swachh Bharat Mission is to clean up streets, roads, and infrastructure in India's cities, smaller towns, and rural areas. Swachh Hawa is an integral component of Swachh Bharat. IV. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the National Clean Air program in 2019 as a national-level strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country
