The Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Prof. Dr. Atul Goel has urged all States and Union Territories to enhance preparedness for air pollution management ahead of the upcoming festive season and onset of winter

In a letter to Principal Secretary of all States/UTs, the DGHS highlighted the adverse effects of air pollution particularly on vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and those who face higher exposure risks due to their occupations, such as traffic police officers and municipal workers.

In light of this the DGHS has advised all State Health Departments and healthcare facilities to ramp up measures such as “intensifying public awareness campaigns, disseminating targeted messaging through designated mass media channels in regional languages, strengthening the capacity of the healthcare workforce, and scaling up participation in sentinel surveillance systems for air pollution-related diseases under the National Program on Climate Change and Human Health”.

Dr Goel has underscored the importance of raising public awareness to prevent the worsening of the air quality. Further, he suggested measures such as discouraging stubble and waste burning, reducing firecrackers during festivities, promoting public transportation over personal diesel- or petrol-powered vehicles, limiting reliance on diesel-based generators, and curbing smoking.

Additionally, individuals should be advised to minimize their exposure to polluted air by monitoring air quality indices through government mobile applications before venturing outdoors, avoiding heavily congested areas, and opting for cleaner fuels at home for cooking, heating, and lighting, the DGHS stated.

Dr Goel has also said that outdoor activities such as sports and exercise should be restricted, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases during the season. Those experiencing worsening symptoms or discomfort due to poor air quality should seek immediate medical attention, he added.