| 20 June 2023
The Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday to assess the public health preparedness to tackle the prevailing heatwave conditions in various parts of the country. In the meeting, he emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent heatstroke deaths and instructed officials from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to take immediate action.
To address the situation effectively, Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that a team of officers would be dispatched to states currently experiencing heatwave conditions. This team will provide assistance to the respective state governments in implementing necessary measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the heatwave. Additionally, the minister revealed his plans to hold another meeting tomorrow, via video conferencing, with the ministers of states where heatwave conditions are prevailing.
Several key officials participated in the meeting, including Niti Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul, ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl, and experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The gathering aimed to discuss strategies and exchange insights on combating the heatwave situation effectively.
Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the importance of collaboration between different agencies and departments. He stated, "In states where a heatwave is prevailing and heatwave incidents have occurred, a team consisting of officials from Disaster Management, IMD, and the Union Health Ministry will be sent to assist the state government." This collective effort aims to strengthen the response and ensure that the affected regions receive the necessary support.
The minister's proactive approach to tackling the heatwave crisis is commendable, especially considering the recent reports of heatstroke-related deaths in several parts of the country. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha have already witnessed a significant number of casualties due to heatstroke. Notably, Ballia in Uttar Pradesh reported approximately 68 suspected heatstroke deaths.
Apart from Uttar Pradesh, regions such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, east Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal have also experienced temperatures exceeding 5 degrees Celsius above normal. The situation remains worrisome as East Uttar Pradesh alone recorded temperatures 3-5 degrees above the average, as reported by the weather office.
With the impending meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Minister Mansukh Mandaviya aims to engage with disaster management officials and ministers from eastern states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Telangana, Jharkhand, and Bihar. These regions have been particularly affected by the heatwave conditions. The minister's focus on proactive planning and collaboration underscores the urgency of the situation and the government's commitment to addressing it effectively.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Mansukh Mandaviya instructed the ICMR to be adequately prepared in advance to prevent heatstroke deaths. This instruction demonstrates the government's recognition of the need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses both immediate response measures and long-term preventive strategies.
As the country faces the challenges of rising temperatures and heatwave conditions, the review meeting led by the Union Health Minister serves as a crucial step towards safeguarding public health. By coordinating efforts between various departments and providing necessary assistance to the affected states, the government aims to minimize the impact of the heatwave and ensure the well-being of its citizens.
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