Chandigarh, Oct 29 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Haryana State Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health virtually. This initiative is part of the National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), established in 2019 to effectively enhance the health sector’s capacity to respond to climate change impacts.
The launch event was attended by several dignitaries, including Ms. Aarti Singh Rao, Hon’ble Health Minister of Haryana; Sh. T.V.S.N. Prasad, Chief Secretary, Haryana; Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary (Health); Dr. Aditya Dahiya, MD, NHM Haryana; Dr. Manish Bansal, Director General Health Services, Haryana; and Dr. Kuldeep, DGHS (P) Haryana. Directors, Civil Surgeons, and officials from across the state also participated in the event.
The plan adopts a multi-pronged approach to mitigate the health impacts of climate change. It focuses on raising awareness by promoting public knowledge about the harmful effects of air pollution, heat waves, and vector-borne diseases through community engagement and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns. To improve health preparedness, the plan emphasizes issuing advisories for vulnerable populations and conducting comprehensive situational analyses at national, state, and district levels to enhance response mechanisms. It aims to strengthen the health system by building a robust surveillance and monitoring framework through the IHIP portal to track climate-sensitive diseases. Capacity building initiatives are designed to train healthcare professionals and Multi-Task Workers on preventive measures against climate-induced risks, such as heat-related illnesses and air pollution. Apart from this, the plan incorporates a One Health approach, addressing the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health to combat zoonotic diseases, vector-borne illnesses, and environmental threats effectively.
The Health Department has undertaken several preparatory measures to address climate-related health challenges. It issued air pollution advisories during poor air quality in October and heat wave alerts in March 2024. Training programs were organized for District Nodal Officers and epidemiologists on climate change and health impacts, while key environmental days—such as International Blue Sky Day, World Earth Day, World Water Day, and World Environment Day—were observed in line with Government of India guidelines. State and District Nodal Officers were appointed to ensure effective implementation of the action plan. Health facilities were instructed to allocate dedicated beds, maintain essential drugs, and keep ambulances on standby with the 112 helpline for emergencies. Continuous training sessions were conducted for Medical Officers and paramedics across all 22 districts to manage heat-related illnesses, and 409 suspected heat stroke cases were reported at state facilities as of June 5, 2024. In addition, IEC materials were distributed, awareness campaigns continued, and all districts initiated heat-related illness reporting on the IHIP portal.
The Haryana State Action Plan aims to strengthen public health resilience by fostering preparedness and timely response to the health challenges posed by climate change. With this comprehensive strategy, the state is committed to mitigating the adverse health impacts of environmental factors while promoting sustainable well-being for its citizens.
