Worried over the increasing threat of climate change on health, the state government has decided to integrate climate concerns into policy responses and interventions in the health sector.

The state will send the plan of action to the Centre for funding. In collaboration with the Energy and Resource Institute, the state government has prepared key strategies and mentioned that studies show that the state comes in the area of greatest climate sensitivity, maximum vulnerability and lowest adaptive capacity.

Health director B R Meena said, “It is 100% Centrally sponsored programme on climate change.”

It is expected that climate change may increase the risk of exposure to vector, water and food-borne diseases, aggravate malnutrition and increase mortality and morbidity associated with changes in intensity and frequency of extreme events.

The medical, health and family welfare department has planned key strategies to deal with the risks of climate change on human health. “It has been planned to sensitize policy makers and health practitioners on the risks posed by climate change, appropriate actions and need for mainstreaming through Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities such as seminars, workshops, training, disseminating related scientific literature,” a department official said. » Read more: Threats to health from climate change to be integrated in policy responses