Union Health Secretary asks States & UTs to include air pollution combating strategies in action plans

The Health and Family Welfare Ministry has asked state State and Union Territories to develop district and city-level action plans for climate change and health under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH).

In a letter written to Chief Secretaries and Advisors of all State and Union Territories, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has asked the State and Union Territories to include strategies for combating air pollution in their action plans.

She has also asked them to expand the network of sentinel hospitals for monitoring air pollution-related illnesses.

The Secretary further urged them to follow the updated health advisories that include recommendations to strengthen existing health systems and to raise awareness among vulnerable groups and at-risk occupations.

She mentioned that together, the challenges of air pollution and climate change can be overcome.