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Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Heat health risks need to be understood as a slow, protracted disaster
The World Meteorological Organisation's 'State of the Climate in Asia 2024' report released on June 23 highlighted that Asia is warming at twice the global average with record highs in sea surface temperatures and marine heatwaves. Asia's warming trend between 1991–2024 was almost double compared to 1961–1990. Within the continent, south and southeast Asia experienced extreme heat during April and May, and in specific, the heat was centred in northern India in May. Are we effectively measuring heat-related illnesses (HRI) and consequent mortalities? How effective are the response mechanisms? The National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) was launched in February 2019. HRI surveillance was initiated under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) in 2015 (subsequently digitised on the Integrated Health Information Platform), in the more heat-vulnerable states. It has now been expanded across the whole country. Instituting any surveillance system such as the National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance is a complex task and we now have about a decade's experience and learning. The NCDC's evaluation, the 2024 report titled 'Heat-Health Preparedness & Response Activities, National Programme on Climate Change & Human Health', provides rich insights. The surveillance system collects aggregate data on heatstroke cases and deaths, emergency department attendance, cardiovascular and total deaths from all states and union territories from primary health centres and above. There were 48,156 Suspected Heatstroke Cases (SHC), 269 Suspected Heatstroke Deaths (SHD) and 161 Confirmed Heatstroke Deaths (CHD) in 2024 with reported increases in key daily indicators – emergency visits, total and cardiovascular deaths in the facilities. There has been a significant increase in reported SHCs over the last couple of years: 4,481 in 2022 and 19,402 in 2023 – the mark of a maturing surveillance system. Emergency attendance in the Reporting Units (RUs) increased from 3.6 million in 2022 to 30 million in 2024; total deaths in the facility from 86 to 74,216 and confirmed cardiovascular deaths (linked to HRIs to some extent) from 47 to 2,173. What is the robustness of HRI reporting? Reporting by the constituent units exhibit an expected seasonality: 20 per cent in March to 40 per cent in July; and the peak between May 15 and June 10 comprising nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of the annual cases correlated both with peak heatwave days and dips during the holidays and weekends. In terms of consistency of daily reporting, Gujarat, Telangana and Odisha are the better performers. The NHRIDS had 47,477 Reporting Units (RU) in 2024 and 55 per cent reported HRIs. The top three states were also Gujarat, Odisha, Telangana with 91 per cent, 89 per cent and 72 per cent of the RUs reporting respectively. Contrast this with 23 per cent of the 40,390 RUs reporting in 2023. RUs in key north and central Indian states that experience high heat demonstrated improvements in reporting between 2023 and 2024 but continue to lag behind the top three performers. There was hardly any reporting from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in 2023 but nearly 50 per cent of the RUs reported in 2024. And 30 per cent or less of the RUs in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana reported during 2024. Health systems preparedness is critical to providing treatment and reducing morbidity and mortality. These include availability of basic utilities, ORS (oral rehydration solution) corners, diagnostic equipment, emergency cooling equipment/appliances at health facilities, capacity building of healthcare staff as well as ambulance services. The NCDC evaluated 5,720 facilities across the country, 87 per cent of these at the primary care level. While there was relatively high reporting of availability of basic utilities, training, and community outreach, some of the more specific and critical elements need a big boost. Emergency cooling preparedness was available in only 32 per cent of health facilities including in only 26 per cent of the primary health centres (PHCs). Diagnostic equipment was available in 53 per cent of the assessed facilities. Six per cent facilities were found to have 'optimal', 32 per cent were 'adequate', 11 per cent were 'basic' and 51 per cent were 'inadequate' in level-appropriate preparedness. Health facilities in Odisha were found to have the highest level of preparedness while those in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, and Punjab were some of the least prepared. Preparedness levels of ambulances and mobile units are a cause for worry: Only 48 per cent had ice packs, 39 per cent had rectal thermometers (for measuring core body temperature, a marker of heat stroke), 13 per cent could provide conductive cooling (for rapidly reducing core temperature in exertional heat stroke), 63 per cent could provide evaporative/combined cooling (relatively less effective) and 57 per cent had paramedics trained in emergency management of severe HRIs. Notwithstanding the NHRDIS, multiple government agencies report varyingly different numbers with respect to heatstroke deaths during 2000-2020: 20,615 according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB); 17,767 according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and 10,545 according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Independent researchers forecast up to over 1.5 million deaths annually in a high-emissions scenario or a 14.7 per cent increase in daily mortality with temperatures above 97th percentile for two consecutive days. There is a need to look beyond acute disaster framing and Heat Action Plans (HAPs) need to build in more markers such as high night temperatures, heat index or the excess heat factor; as well as making it more local and agile, beyond standard templates. Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and can exacerbate underlying morbidities, triggering episodic demands for healthcare. Heat health risks therefore, need to be understood as a slow, protracted disaster. Health programmes are built brick by brick; learning as we go along. At the same time, the climate emergency makes heat-health responses a moving target. The writer is chairperson, Centre of Social Medicine & Community Health, JNU, a collaborator in the Wellcome Trust supported 'Economic and Health Impact Assessment of Heat Adaptation Action: Case studies from India'. Views are personal
The Print
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Print
Two dead, 7 hospitalised in Ranchi; diarrhoea suspected
'Two women of the village died, but it is yet to be ascertained whether the cause of their death was diarrhoea or comorbidity as they were elderly women,' Bundu BDO Savitri Kumari told PTI. Around 12 people fell ill due to suspected diarrhoea at Domudih village under Tamar block on Saturday, he said. Ranchi, Jun 23 (PTI) Two persons died while seven others were admitted to a hospital with diarrhoea-like symptoms in a village in Jharkhand's Ranchi district, an official said on Monday. Ranchi civil surgeon Prabhat Kumar visited the village on Monday. 'Seven persons were admitted to the Primary Health Centre in Tamar and their conditions are stable,' he said. A team from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) will be sent to the village on Tuesday to ascertain whether it is a case of diarrhoea or food positioning, Kumar said. A medical team with an ambulance was deployed in the village. 'The situation is improving rapidly in the village,' he added. PTI SAN NN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Pune accounts for 38% of Maha's ILI & SARI cases
Pune has emerged as the worst-affected district in Maharashtra for cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), accounting for over a third of the state's total caseload. However, officials claim that precise reporting is the reason behind this large number of cases. According to official data from the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP) of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of the state health department, Maharashtra recorded a total 142,474 cases of ILI and SARI between January 1 and June 11, 2025 with Pune district alone accounting for 54,371 cases which is approximately 38% of the total cases. During the same period, the state reported 753 cases of SARI, 597 (79%) of which were reported by Pune district alone, officials said. Dr Sachin Desai, Pune district health officer, said that the reason behind the large number of cases is the reporting in Pune district. 'All cases are regularly updated on the portal, and there is no underreporting of cases. However, no deaths have been reported amongst these infected patients,' he said. According to health experts, the large number of cases is worrying and maybe linked to multiple factors such as climate variations, urban density, air quality, and delayed medical intervention. Dr Abhijeet Lodha, physician at Ruby Hall Clinic, said that those with existing co-morbidities and the elderly should regularly take influenza vaccines and infected patients must follow hygiene and use face masks in public places. 'The spikes in respiratory illnesses are often aggravated during seasonal transitions and by rising pollution levels. The monsoon, with its damp and humid conditions, only worsens the situation,' Dr Lodha said. As per data provided by the public health department, Pune district reported the highest number of ILI cases this year followed by Jalgaon with 18,435 cases and Ahilya Nagar with 9,903 cases. Similarly, Pune reported the highest number of SARI cases (597) followed by Solapur (31) and Nagpur (29). A senior health official from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on request of anonymity said, 'The cases have gone up and the surge in cases can be attributed to the pollution and weather change. 'Many people from nearby districts like Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Ahilya Nagar and Kolhapur also come for treatment to Pune which adds to the total number. Besides, there is more awareness among people coming forward to report if they have any symptoms.' Dr Avdhut Bodamwad of Lopmudra Hospital said that more ILI and SARI cases are likely to be reported due to the onset of the monsoon and that citizens should take all precautionary measures and stay safe. 'During the monsoon, temperature variations take place and we can expect an increase in such cases. Considering the current situation in Pune, it is important to differentiate between Covid-19 positive patients and those who are not. Individuals at high risk should get tested immediately if they have any such symptoms and should not attribute it to weather change,' he said.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Covid cases in India past 7,000-mark, 6 more deaths
Covid cases in India past 7,000-mark, 6 more deaths New Delhi: With six more deaths on Wednesday, the Covid toll in the country has gone up to 74. The total number of active cases in India has crossed the 7,000 mark. Of the latest fatalities, three were from Kerala, two from Karnataka and one from Maharashtra. Official sources maintained that most cases are mild and being managed under home care. At the same time, Centre has directed all states to check facility-level preparedness and ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines as a precautionary measure. The sources had said on June 4 that state and district surveillance units under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) are closely monitoring Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases. "Testing is recommended for all admitted SARI cases and 5 per cent of ILI cases as per guidelines and positive SARI samples are being sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the ICMR VRDL network," they added.
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Two more die of diarrhoea in Odisha's Jajpur, toll rises to four
The diarrhoea situation continued to remain grim in the affected and surrounding areas of Vyasanagar municipality, Dharmasala, Danagadi, Rasulpur and Korei blocks with the waterborne disease affecting over 500 people in the last three days. The highest number of cases has been reported from Dharmasala, which reported the first diarrhoea outbreak on Monday night following a community feast. A day later, more diarrhoea cases were reported from several villages in the neighbouring blocks, prompting the Health department to depute two state-level rapid action teams to the affected areas. Although no exact cause of the outbreak has been ascertained, local health officials said, community feasts, consumption of rotten mangoes and jackfruits and water contamination could be the primary reasons. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said food and water samples have been collected from the affected areas and sent for tests. 'The test reports are awaited. Efforts are on to provide immediate treatment and control the outbreak,' he told The New Indian Express. Dr Mishra, along with two rapid action teams consisting of medical officers, microbiologists, epidemiologists and the joint director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, visited the areas and monitored treatment in coordination with the CDM&PHO. Specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and Hospital, Jajpur are looking into the treatment of the critical cases, while six medicine specialists from SCB MCH have also been deputed to the district. Separate teams comprising ASHA and anganwadi workers have been engaged to conduct door-to-door surveys and distribute ORS pouches, halogen tablets, medicines and awareness materials in the affected villages. The teams of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) wing have been engaged in disinfection of drinking water sources.
