Public Health Officials in Indore Meet to Discuss Clean Air for Health Agenda
By Sumi Mehta and Saurabh Porwal, Vital Strategies, June 17, 2022
Members of Indore’s public health community came together at the Sayaji Hotel on May 5, 2022, to discuss how to promote clean air solutions in the city at a health sector stakeholder engagement workshop. The event was organized by global health organization Vital Strategies as part of Clean Air Catalyst: A Global Partnership for Accelerating Clean Air Solutions, funded by USAID.
In 2019, one million deaths in India were attributable to air pollution, with more than 110,000 of those deaths occurring in Madhya Pradesh alone. According to Central Pollution Control Board, Indore is one of the most polluted cities in Madhya Pradesh, which contributes to health risks and weakening of the local economy.
The workshop brought together 36 clinicians, researchers, ASHA workers, nurses, and other health professionals from around Indore. Participants worked to identify and prioritize knowledge and information gaps related to local health impacts of air pollution, including effects related to gender, and impacts on children and people living in poverty. They also explored opportunities to better integrate air quality into health sector activities such as data collection, patient guidance, research, and advocacy.
“Air pollution is a public health issue,” said Sumi Mehta, Vice President, Environmental Health, Vital Strategies.
“The public health community has an active role to play in the development and implementation of tailored solutions to address health risks caused by poor air quality in Indore. I am grateful to all who came and pledged their active support towards promoting clean air for health”,she added.
“Although Indore is nationally recognized for its successful solid waste and water management, we now need to work towards improving its air quality,” said Dr. Salil Bhargava, Clean Air Catalyst Advisory Committee member and Department Head of Pulmonology at MGM College Indore. “To reduce the catastrophic impact of air pollution on human health, the health sector can play a pivotal role in championing clean air, policy development, and implementing tailored solutions to reduce air pollution and its impact.”
Scenes from Accelerating Clean Air Solutions: Health Sector Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Indore
Air pollution continues to be a global challenge affecting the environment, health, and economic development. Nine out of 10 people globally live in places where air quality exceeds WHO health-based guidelines. Exposure to outdoor and indoor pollution leads to many life-threatening conditions such as heart and lung diseases, diabetes, and cancer. The burden disproportionately falls on people with existing health conditions, poor people, women, and children.
“Mainstreaming health risks of air pollution into public consciousness is a critical part of our work in the Clean Air Catalyst,” said Kaushik Hazarika, Project Manager, Clean Air Catalyst, Environmental Defence Fund. “Yesterday's workshop was an important step in this regard. Inputs received during the workshop will strengthen our ability to engage health advocates for clean air.”
In concluding the workshop, leaders from the Indore health community agreed to form a local health task force to define and implement a clean air for health agenda.“Combating air pollution isn’t a battle but a war that requires long-term collective action towards clean air,” said Dr. S.S Nayyar, Oncologist at Raman Cancer Care Hospital. “A comprehensive four-pronged approach should involve policy, bureaucracy, media and the community,” said Dr. Mukesh Kumar Sinha, Executive Director, Madhya Pradesh Voluntary Health Association.
