Pollution alarm bell might be ringing aloud in Delhi, but several other cities are also facing similar grim situation due to rising air pollution and its impact on the health of the citizens.
Recent data available from the Government shows that number of people suffering from respiratory diseases believed to be associated with air pollution exposure has shot up from 3.16 crore in 2012 to 3.48 crore in 2014. The number stood at 3.17 crore in 2013.
As per National Health Profile (NHP) 2015, there are more than 13 States in the country where respiratory disease cases have alarmingly surpassed ten lakh. The highest number of respiratory cases were recorded in Kerala at 61 lakh followed by Andhra Pradesh (31 lakh), West Bengal (28 lakh), Karnataka (22 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (16 lakh), Himachal Pradesh (15 lakh) and Delhi (3.39 lakh) during 2014. A total 2,932 people succumbed to the respiratory diseases.
NHP-2015 has been prepared by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI) under the Union Health Ministry.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha recently, Union Minister for Health JP Nadda cited the NHP-2015 stating that respiratory diseases are believed to be associated with air pollution exposure.
“The Government has taken various measures to control environmental pollution, including tightening of vehicular and industrial norms, promotion of cleaner technologies, strengthening of network of air quality monitoring stations, promoting public awareness etc.
“Under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, the districts and States have been strengthened by providing additional manpower, training of identified Rapid Response Team members for outbreak investigations, strengthening of laboratories for detection of epidemic prone diseases, including acute respiratory infections,” he added.
The NHP report notes of the strong association between air pollution and respiratory diseases, he added.
