Centre asks Delhi, four states to ramp up healthcare prep to deal with patient rush

NEW DELHI: The Union Health Ministry has asked Delhi and its neighbouring states to make necessary healthcare preparations to deal with any rush of patients triggered by poor air quality that may worsen in the upcoming festive season.

In a letter to the health departments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan this week, Director General of Health Services Atul Goel said air pollution not only accounts for acute illnesses but also precipitates exacerbation of chronic illnesses of respiratory, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems.

“The consequences are graver for vulnerable population such as children, pregnant women, older people, those with pre-existing illnesses, and those exposed due to their occupations such as those involved in traffic policing and municipality work, etc.,” Dr Goel said and urged the state authorities for necessary healthcare preparedness.

This would require increased allocation of beds, stock updates on medicines and equipment related to case management, capacity building of the health workforce, and enhanced public awareness.

In a separate advisory to all states and union territories last month, the ministry asked them to establish and expand sentinel surveillance on air pollution related illnesses, analyse statistics of such illnesses and share them at the state and central levels for timely actions.

The states have been advised to strengthen patient care services, orient doctors and staff to manage cases attributed to air pollution, and draft Health Sector Response Action Plans during high levels of air pollution, particularly post-Diwali, stubble burning and winter days/months.

In this week’s communication to Delhi and other northern states, Dr Goel wrote, “As you may be aware that air pollution has become a serious health challenge in recent times, it is further concerning to note that the Air Quality Index (AQI) from Delhi NCR is being reported to have reached from poor to severe levels in last few days. This may even worsen considering the upcoming festive season and onset of winter.”

Dr Goel also stressed on increasing awareness among the general public about activities that could prevent further deterioration of air quality such as curbing stubble and waste burning, avoiding firecrackers during festivities, using mass public transport systems, avoiding use of personal diesel-based generators, and avoiding smoking. It will also be advisable to avoid outdoor sports and exercise, more so for the elderly and pregnant women, and those with comorbidities, especially respiratory and cardiovascular.

Vulnerable people should seek medical help when they first develop worsening of their illness or feel discomfort and symptoms due to poor air quality, the letter stated.

In its advisory last month, the ministry said health departments and healthcare facilities have to strictly monitor daily AQI levels during such high air pollution days/months as reported from pollution control boards.

The advisory stressed that state health officials must take due precautionary measures during the times of high air pollution as it can influence COVID-19 infection and its outcome, although the data is as yet not conclusive. The study showed 1.7 million deaths, or 18 per cent of the total deaths in India, in 2019 were attributable to air pollution.