Centre Directs States To Set Up Chest Clinics To Treat Air Pollution-Related Diseases

Last Updated:November 12, 2025, 22:16 IST

According to the Union health ministry, the chest clinics will function for at least two hours every day during the peak air pollution months

Vehicles move amid a traffic congestion during smog, at ITO, in New Delhi. (PTI photo)

The Centre has issued an updated advisory to all states and Union territories, directing them to establish chest clinics in government hospitals and medical colleges under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) to tackle the growing number of air pollution-related illnesses.

According to the Union health ministry, the chest clinics will function for at least two hours every day during the peak air pollution months, usually from September to March.

A 33-page set of guidelines has been sent to the states, asking for immediate action and preparedness, as pollution levels during winter often lead to a rise in respiratory and cardiac diseases.

The ministry said the clinics could be set up at community health centres, district hospitals, and medical colleges in urban areas. Initially, the focus will be on cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). These clinics will identify risk factors, confirm diagnoses, provide treatment, and ensure long-term care for patients suffering from respiratory and heart diseases aggravated by pollution.

Facilities have also been asked to maintain detailed patient records through digital platforms such as the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). A register of high-risk individuals will be created, with details shared at the local level to enable follow-up by community health workers like ASHA, ANM, and CHO.

The ministry has also called for the training of doctors and staff to manage respiratory and cardiovascular cases effectively. The advisory said the clinics should promote healthy behaviour and raise awareness among patients about preventive measures and pollution-related illnesses.

In a letter to all chief secretaries, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava noted that air quality in many parts of the country often reaches “poor to severe" levels during winter, posing a major public health challenge. “Together, we can work towards a healthier, cleaner and more resilient ecosystem," she said.

The advisory highlighted that children under five, the elderly, pregnant women, patients with asthma or heart disease, and outdoor workers from low-income backgrounds are among the most vulnerable to pollution.

Health facilities have been instructed to ensure adequate supplies of medicines, oxygen cylinders, nebulisers, ventilators, hospital beds, stretchers, wheelchairs and ambulances. States have also been asked to monitor daily Air Quality Index (AQI) levels and take steps to curb pollution sources such as waste burning, construction dust and crop residue burning.

The advisory further called for protective measures for construction workers, including masks and regular health check-ups, and recommended schools limit outdoor activities when air quality is poor. Teachers and school health officials have been urged to raise awareness among students and parents about pollution risks and safety practices.

(With inputs from PTI)

News Desk

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...Read More

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

Read More

News india Centre Directs States To Set Up Chest Clinics To Treat Air Pollution-Related Diseases

Read More