Pune, 16th April 2022: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope, has informed that an environmental health unit has been set up in the state to conduct a survey on heat-related disorders as well as respiratory disorders among the citizens living in the most polluted cities in the state.
Against the backdrop of rising temperatures and climate change, the central government has launched the National Climate Change and Human Health Program.
He was speaking at the meeting of the State Level Government Committee and Action Team of this program on Friday. Additional Chief Secretary of the State Health Department Dr Pradeep Vyas, Commissioner of Health Services Dr Ramaswamy, Director of Health Dr Sadhana Tayde, Director of Medical Education and Research Dr Dilip Mhaisekar, Indian Meteorological Department’s Pune head KS Hosalikar were present.
Health Minister Tope said that the Environment, Meteorological Department, Groundwater Survey, Agriculture, Public Works, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Disaster Management Department need to work together to tackle climate change.
State Infectious Diseases Survey Officer Dr Pradip Awate made a presentation on climate change and its effects on human health. In addition to the survey of respiratory diseases among the citizens of the polluted cities, the unit will also organize various workshops for the people’s representatives and health department officials and employees, Dr Awate said.
Acute respiratory illnesses will be registered in government hospitals in cities like Pune, Mumbai, Jalna, and Chandrapur which are the most polluted in the state. The program will be implemented in 17 major cities and will involve government hospitals.
Dr Awate said the meeting discussed the survey of heat-related disorders and planning for a quick response to the heatwave. The need for coordination between the meteorological department and the public health department was also highlighted.
