Health Ministry Strategizes on Heatwave Management: Calls for Nationwide Awareness and Data Sharing
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya reviews Public Health Preparedness for management of Heat Related Illnesses
Continuous efforts towards generating awareness for people for better management of heatwaves is necessary as effective address leads to effective management: Dr Mandaviya
Emphasised the importance of creating a central database with inputs from states to share field level data on heatwaves, including on deaths and cases, so that a realistic assessment of the situation can be analysed
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized the crucial need for heightened public awareness and better management strategies to mitigate the impact of heatwaves across India. During a meeting focused on public health preparedness for handling heat-related illnesses, the importance of timely and efficient action in response to India Meteorological Department (IMD) alerts was underscored. Mandaviya called for the establishment of a centralized database to facilitate the sharing of field-level data on heatwaves, including related fatalities and cases, aiming for a more realistic assessment and response to such natural occurrences.
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Bharati Pravin Pawar, advocated for the creation of state and district-level committees to spearhead information and awareness campaigns. Pawar also highlighted the need for adequate facilities such as water coolers and ice packs at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and urged for swift field-level implementation of State Action Plans tailored to combat the adverse effects of heatwaves.
V K Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, stressed the necessity of adhering to a set of guidelines at the state level and proposed the dissemination of treatment protocols through webinars among other methods. He also recommended the compilation of state-specific data on heat-related cases and illnesses to better understand and address the issue.
The meeting also featured presentations by IMD officials on heatstroke forecasting, vulnerable zones, and the anticipated weather patterns, including the transition from El Nino to ENSO. Officials updated that Heat Action Plans have been revised in 23 states, and around 100 districts have launched heatwave awareness campaigns.
An advisory issued by the Union Health Secretary on February 29, 2024, calls for state compliance with the National Action Plan on Heat Related Illnesses. It outlines measures for health facilities to prepare for heat impact, including the stockpiling of essential medical supplies and public awareness activities.
The meeting was attended by key health ministry officials, IMD representatives, the National Disaster Management Authority, directors of AIIMS New Delhi and Lady Hardinge Medical College, demonstrating a unified approach towards enhancing heatwave preparedness and management in India.