Centre directs states to set up Chest clinics as air pollution worsens
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The central government has issued an urgent advisory to all states and districts to tackle the growing health crisis caused by rising air pollution.
The directive calls for the establishment of Chest clinics in every district and urban health centre, along with the strengthening of hospitals to handle pollution-related illnesses.
States have been ordered to upgrade primary, community, and district hospitals with essential medicines, oxygen support, nebulizers, ventilators, emergency beds, and trained staff.
Hospitals must also begin surveillance of air pollution–related diseases and create sentinel hospitals to monitor and report such cases. Each hospital will maintain daily patient reports, which will be analysed by District and State Nodal Officers under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH).
Health workers have been instructed to conduct door-to-door visits to identify vulnerable individuals and advise them on preventive measures.
To reduce dust pollution, states must ensure that construction sites regularly spray water, keep materials covered, and provide masks and safety kits to workers. Regular health checkups and training sessions for construction workers have also been made mandatory.
The Centre has further advised that in case of severe air pollution, children up to grade 5 should switch to online classes. States have been instructed to strictly implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and activate task forces at both state and district levels immediately.
On Wednesday, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated further, slipping into the ‘Hazardous’ category.
According to data from aqi.in, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 734 — 2.2 times higher than India’s national average. Particulate Matter (PM2.5) levels stood at 443 µg/m³, while PM10 levels were at 621 µg/m³. These levels indicate the presence of harmful particles capable of entering the lungs and bloodstream, posing serious risks, particularly to those with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions.