• Source:JND
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The Union Health Secretary issued an updated advisory on air pollution to states and Union Territories on Monday. The advisory includes recommendations to strengthen existing health systems and raise awareness among vulnerable groups and high-risk occupations.

This comes after the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and other major cities in India has raised concerns about various health risks. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the National Capital Region has remained in the "severe plus" category for the past two days. On November 19, air quality in several areas across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram reached "alarmingly high" levels, with most AQI stations crossing the 500 mark.

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The advisory suggests developing detailed action plans at the district and city levels to address the health impacts of climate change, including strategies to combat air pollution. It also emphasises expanding the network of sentinel hospitals within each state or Union Territory to monitor air pollution-related diseases for effective response and surveillance.

Additionally, the advisory outlines strategies for better preparation of health departments and facilities to deal with the health effects of air pollution. These include raising public awareness through targeted messaging in regional languages across various media channels, educating healthcare workers on air pollution-related health issues, and actively monitoring air pollution-related diseases through sentinel surveillance systems under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH).

The advisory also highlights the growing risks of air pollution for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and workers exposed to pollution.

Delhi's Pollution Discussed At COP29 Summit

Meanwhile, the issue of air pollution in Delhi-NCR was discussed at the COP29 Summit on Environment in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Environmental experts not only expressed concern over the pollution in Delhi but also discussed potential solutions. They warned about the health risks posed by air pollution and called for immediate global action to address the crisis.

SC Advises Courts To Shift To Online Mode

Amid the alarming air pollution crisis in Delhi, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna announced on Tuesday that Supreme Court judges have been advised to hold virtual court hearings whenever possible. This was shared during a discussion between CJI Khanna and several lawyers, including Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal.

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The Supreme Court on Monday, while hearing a plea on Delhi Pollution, strongly rebuked the Delhi Government for failing to introduce timely restrictions amid deteriorating air quality in the national capital. The top court categorically said GRAP 4 curbs will not be lifted from Delhi without its permission.

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