Buildings are shrouded in smog due to air pollution in Delhi, India on November 29, 2024. | Photo credit: REUTERS

Air pollution is one of the aggravating factors of respiratory diseases, but there is no conclusive data available in the country to establish a direct correlation between any disease caused exclusively by air pollutionHealth Minister Prataprao Jadhav told the Lok Sabha on Friday (November 30, 2024).

The health effects of air pollution are synergistic manifestations of factors that include dietary habits, occupational habits, socioeconomic status, medical history, immunity and heredity, etc. individuals, Mr. Jadhav said in a written response.

Air pollution is one of the aggravating factors of respiratory diseases and associated diseases. However, there is no conclusive data available in the country to establish a direct correlation between diseases caused exclusively by air pollution, Mr. Jadhav said in his response.

The Union Ministry of Health provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories to strengthen the public health system, based on the proposals received in the form of Program Implementation Plans (PIPs ) as part of the national health mission, he said.

This financial support is also provided for the implementation of the National Program on Climate Change and Human Health for activities including general awareness raising of all relevant stakeholders, including particularly vulnerable people, health care providers and political decision-makers, concerning the impacts of climate change on humans. health and the means to remedy it.

Financial support is also provided for the celebration of important days on environment and health, for training on climate change and health of program managers, doctors, specialists, community health workers, members of the PRI, nodal agents of sentinel sites and for strengthening the surveillance system. » said Mr. Jadhav.

The Indian government has taken several steps to address air pollution issues across the country. These include the implementation of the National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) with the aim of raising awareness, building capacity, preparedness and response of the health sector and organizing activities related to partnerships on climate-sensitive health issues in the country since 2019.

The NPCCHH and MoHFW developed the health adaptation plan for air pollution diseases. The NPCCHH and MoHFW have also developed the National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health for all States and UTs.

This state-specific action plan contains a chapter dedicated to air pollution that suggests interventions to reduce the impact.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issues public health advisories suggesting ways to reduce the impact of air pollution. In addition, nationwide public awareness campaigns are organized annually in coordination with states for World Environment Day in June, International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in September and the National Pollution Control Day, he said.

Dedicated training modules have been developed for program managers, doctors and nurses, nodal officers of sentinel sites, frontline workers like ASHA, vulnerable groups like women and children and occupationally exposed groups like traffic police and municipal workers, Mr. Jadhav said.

The IEC materials have been developed to target air pollution-related diseases in English, Hindi and regional languages. The NPCCHH has also developed customized IEC materials targeting various vulnerable groups such as school children, women, vulnerable professional groups like municipal employees, etc. The NPCCHH has also supported various trainings at the state level to build the capacity of district nodal officers in the areas of air pollution. , Mr. Jadhav said.

A series of national level capacity building workshops are organized annually to prepare master trainers (state level trainers) who can impart training at the state or district level in the areas of related diseases to air pollution and monitoring.

Early warning systems or alerts regarding air pollution and air quality forecasts are disseminated by the Indian Meteorological Department to states and cities to prepare the health sector and community centers, a said Mr. Jadhav.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to protect the health of women and children by providing them with clean cooking fuel, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). Swachh Bharat Mission to clean the streets, roads and infrastructure of cities, small towns and rural areas of India. Swachh Hawa is an integral part of Swachh Bharat, Mr. Jadhav said in the written reply.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change launched the National Air Quality Program in 2019 as a national strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country.