'Public Health emergency': Padma Awardee doctors, medical experts issue advisory as AQI crashes across India
New Delhi: As air quality continues to plunge across several Indian cities, a group of Padma awardee doctors and medical experts has issued an urgent national health advisory, warning that the country is facing a "significant public health emergency."
With toxic smog blanketing Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and multiple northern regions, the experts have raised alarms over the rapidly escalating health risks.
The advisory reportedly highlights that worsening pollution is endangering all age groups-particularly children, pregnant women, the elderly and individuals with respiratory or cardiac illnesses.
According to a recent report by ANI, India's worsening air pollution has prompted a group of Padma awardee doctors to issue an urgent national health advisory, warning that the country is facing a "significant public health emergency" as air quality dips to alarming levels across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and several other regions.
The advisory highlights mounting health risks for all age groups, especially children, pregnant women, senior citizens and people with heart or lung diseases.
Signed by more than 80 eminent medical experts, the advisory stresses that clean air is a basic human necessity and urgent collective action is vital to protect public health.
The doctors caution that toxic air is triggering severe respiratory problems, increasing asthma attacks, heightening the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and even affecting diabetes and hypertension control. Long-term exposure, they warn, may cause lasting lung damage in children.
The advisory recommended practical measures, urging citizens to use air purifiers where possible and to wear N95 masks outdoors. It also advises avoiding outdoor exercise during peak pollution hours and keeping doors and windows closed when air quality is at its worst, adds ANI
For households without access to purifiers, the experts recommend low-cost alternatives such as wet-mopping floors, avoiding incense, candles and indoor smoke, and ensuring proper ventilation during cooking.
Special precautions for vulnerable groups include suspending outdoor school activities, limiting exposure for pregnant women and the elderly, and ensuring timely medical care for those with asthma, COPD or heart disease.
The doctors also outline community-level actions--avoiding waste burning, reducing vehicle emissions, and reporting construction dust--along with a call for stronger government intervention, including stricter pollution controls and AQI-based public advisories.
However, Delhi's air quality improved significantly on Thursday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at around 300, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
