The National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH)

The National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) in Uttarakhand is a focused initiative under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change on human health. This program aligns with India’s broader climate resilience goals and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), emphasizing health sector preparedness and response.

Objectives:
The NPCCHH in Uttarakhand has five core objectives:
Creating awareness among the general population, healthcare providers, and policymakers regarding the health impacts of climate change.
Strengthening the capacity of the healthcare system to address climate-sensitive illnesses effectively.
Enhancing health preparedness and response mechanisms through situational analysis at various administrative levels.
Building partnerships and synergy with other missions to integrate health considerations into the state’s climate change agenda.
Strengthening research capabilities to fill evidence gaps concerning climate change and its effects on human health.

Implementation Framework:
The Uttarakhand State Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health (SAPCCHH) serves as the guiding document for implementing NPCCHH activities from 2022 to 2027. The State Climate Change and Human Health Cell, functioning under the National Health Mission, oversees this program. A multi-sectoral approach ensures coordination among various stakeholders, including state and district task forces, healthcare facilities, and academic institutions.

Key Focus Areas:
Uttarakhand’s unique geography and climatic conditions pose distinct challenges, such as increasing temperatures, erratic rainfall, and a high frequency of natural disasters. The NPCCHH prioritizes addressing:

Heat-related illnesses, exacerbated by rising temperatures and urban heat island effects.
Air pollution-related health issues, such as acute respiratory infections and cardiovascular diseases.
Green and Climate Resilient Healthcare Facilities: This includes solarization of hospitals, Replacing existing lighting (Non-LED) with LED, creating water harvesting infrastructures and creating other infrastructure that can create resilience for climate vulnerabilities.

Strategic Interventions and program emphasizes:

Climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure.
Capacity building through training programs for healthcare professionals and community health workers.
Public awareness campaigns using Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials.
Surveillance systems for monitoring climate-sensitive illnesses.
Research collaborations to develop localized health adaptation strategies.

Through the NPCCHH, Uttarakhand aims to safeguard its vulnerable populations, including children, women, and marginalized communities, against the growing health risks posed by climate change, ensuring a sustainable and resilient healthcare ecosystem for the state.