Bihar Prepares Action Plan to Tackle Climate-Linked Health Issues: Health Minister

Patna: An orientation workshop for the State Rapid Response Team was held to address health issues linked to climate change and formulate a state action plan. The workshop highlighted the interconnection between human health, the environment, and climate, with a focus on mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

Health Minister Mangal Pandey, the chief guest, emphasized that diseases are increasingly affecting not only humans but also animals and birds due to shifting climatic conditions. He stressed the need for a unified approach under the “One Health” or Ek Swasthya program, which recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health.

Arsenic Contamination and State Action Plan

Minister Pandey pointed to the alarming levels of arsenic contamination in groundwater along the Ganges in Bihar, underscoring the urgent need for treatment. He added that Bihar is one of only three states in India, alongside Telangana and Rajasthan, to actively prepare a state action plan to address the health effects of climate change.

The Ek Swasthya initiative aims to bring together multiple departments, including Health, Animal Husbandry, Public Health Engineering (PHED), Education, Forest and Environment, and Urban Development, to create a collaborative framework. Open discussions and coordinated efforts will be critical to implementing solutions, the minister noted.

Role of Awareness and Hygiene

Highlighting the importance of awareness, Pandey urged state doctors to educate the public on preventing climate-induced diseases. He also stressed the role of cleanliness in maintaining good health. The Education Department was called upon to integrate climate change and health-related awareness into school programs to educate students about its effects.

The workshop included participation from State Health Committee officials, doctors, and nodal officers from Telangana and Rajasthan, who shared strategies under the National Health Mission to tackle climate-induced diseases affecting humans, animals, and birds.