Establish chest clinics, Health Ministry asks states

Amid worsening air quality, the Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH).

One of the recommendations made to states is to establish “chest clinics” in all community health centres and sub-district hospitals to tackle air pollution-related diseases.

The purpose of these clinics is to screen patients for air pollution-linked cardio-pulmonary illnesses, particularly those already suffering from such conditions.

“Health departments, including healthcare facilities, should strictly monitor daily Air Quality Index (AQI) levels during periods of high pollution as reported by pollution control boards. Health facilities may provide daily AQI values to inform people and suggest measures to protect, prevent and control exposure to air pollution,” the guidelines stated. They also called for coordination between health departments and agencies such as the environment ministry, pollution control boards, transport, urban development, PWD (for construction-related work) and municipalities to conduct awareness campaigns on air pollution.

All health centres have been directed to ensure adequate supplies of medicines, oxygen cylinders, nebulisers, ventilators and emergency beds. Medical officers and paramedical staff will receive specialised training to manage respiratory and cardiovascular cases linked to high pollution exposure.

The advisory noted that children under five, the elderly, pregnant women, patients with asthma or heart disease and those from low socio-economic backgrounds with poor nutritional status or engaged in outdoor work are at the highest risk.

Construction workers should be provided with masks or personal protective equipment to guard against inhalation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), dust and fumes.

Regular water sprinkling or fine mist sprays should be used at construction sites to suppress dust and prevent its resuspension into the air.