Lok Sabha Question No. 4405 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-20
Subject: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4405 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH MARCH, 2020

## CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

## 4405. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU: SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been an increase/spike in the number of Chronic Obstructive Pulmo Disease (COPD) cases coupled with increased asthma attack in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years, State/UT -wise;
- (c) whether the Government has evolved any strategy to identify and treat more patients disease  in  the  public  health  system  including  a  comprehensive  programme  directed  t owar s respiratory  disease  due  to  any  kind  of  pollution  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has formulated any concrete action plan in view of the fact t required tests and diagnosis for COPD including spirometry tests are not usually avail many hospitals and primary healthcare centres, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  devised  any  strategy  to  constantly  assess  the  efficacy programmes and quantify the number of lives saved, if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY W ELFARE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) &( b) : 'Public Health' being a State subject, no such data is centrally maintained.

However,  As  per  available  literature,  it  is  known  that  pollution  is  related  to Obstructive  Pulmonary  Disease  (COPD)  cases coupled  with  increas ed  asthma  attack  in  the country.

- (c) to (e) : As  per  the  Constitutional  provisions,  'Health'  is  a  State  subject.  However,  the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides financial and technical assistance to S Union Territ ories (UTs) under the National Health Mission (NHM) for strengthening of Primar and  Secondary  health  care  facilities  to  effectively  respond  to  health  care  needs.  Un Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), additional manpower, training of identified Rapid  Response  Team  members  for  outbreak  investigations,  strengthening  of  laboratories

detection of epidemic prone diseases, information technology equipment for data entry, an and data transfer, and provision of funds for operationali zation, etc. are provided to prevent the spread of disease outbreaks.

In January 2019, Government launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to tackle the  problem  of  air  pollution  in  a  comprehensive  manner  with  targets  to  achieve  20  to reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024, keeping 2017 as base year. The overall objective is to augment and evolve effective ambient air quality monitoring network acro country besides ensuring comprehensive management plan for prevention, control and abatement of  air  pollution  and  enhancing  public  awareness  and  capacity  building  measures. planincludes 102 non - attainment cities, across 23 States and Union Territories, on the bas their ambient air quality data between 2011 and 2015 and World He alth Organization (WHO) report  2014/2018.  A  total  of  86  city  specific  action  plans  have  been  approved  for implementation.

In view of probable linkage of Respiratory illnesses with deteriorating Air Quality (AQI), Ministry of Health & Fa mily Welfare has also initiated following activities:

- Initiation  of  daily  Sentinel  surveillance  for  Acute  Respiratory  Illnesses  in  Eme Department of Central Government Hospitals
- Providing  feedback  to  hospitals  for  undertakings  appropriate  measures  fo r  managing respiratory illnesses in their hospitals
- Issuing Health advisory on health effects of Air Pollution to Health department of al Last health advisory was issued in September - October 2019 and then again after Diwali when AQI deteriorated b eyond very Poor -Severe levels
- Prepared  and  shared  Information,  Education  and  Communication  (IEC)  posters  on  Air Pollution and its health effects with State Health Departments
- Air  Pollution  and  Health  effects  campaign  have  also  been  run  on  Social  media  (on websites of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and National Centre for Disease Cont Twitter handle and Facebook page)
- The States have also been advised to initiate se tinel surveillance for Acute Respiratory Illnesses in at least four to five major hospitals in the cities listed as highly pollute Central Pollution Control Board.

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