Centre Orders CHEST Clinics in All Hospitals Amid Rising Air Pollution Crisis

Amid escalating concerns over deteriorating air quality across Indian cities, the Union Health Ministry has issued a comprehensive directive to all states and districts to establish CHEST Clinics in government hospitals under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH). These specialized units will focus on the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases linked to air pollution exposure.

Under the new guidelines, every district, community, and urban health centre must set up dedicated CHEST Clinics to monitor and manage cardiopulmonary illnesses. The clinics will maintain detailed digital registers of patients, link with primary health centres for continuous care, and report data to state and district nodal officers for real-time analysis. This initiative forms part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen public health infrastructure against climate-related health threats.

To ensure preparedness, the Health Ministry has instructed all medical facilities—Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs)—to stock essential medicines, oxygen cylinders, nebulizers, ventilators, and emergency beds. Healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff, will receive specialized training to handle cases of asthma, COPD, heart disease, and stroke triggered by pollution. Sentinel hospitals will also serve as key data collection and monitoring sites to track pollution-induced illnesses on a daily basis.

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The advisory further mandates door-to-door health surveillance by ASHA and ANM workers to identify vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Field workers will educate families about preventive measures—including minimizing outdoor exposure, improving home ventilation, and adopting cleaner cooking fuels—to reduce respiratory risks. Strict dust control measures at construction sites, regular worker health check-ups, and occupational safety protocols have also been made mandatory for all states.

As air pollution levels continue to rise, the Centre has activated state and district-level Task Forces on Climate Change and Health to coordinate with pollution control boards and education departments. The Health Ministry has urged citizens to monitor local air quality through the CPCB’s Sameer app, adhere to official advisories, and prioritize protective measures. It also advised schools up to grade five to shift to online classes during severe smog episodes to safeguard children’s health.

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