PM unveils Haryana State Action Plan on climate change, human health
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today 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 Aarti Singh Rao, Haryana Health Minister, TVSN Prasad, Chief Secretary, Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) and other senior officials.
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 emphasises issuing advisories for vulnerable population 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.
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.
