வெப்பத்தால் ஏற்படும் உடல் பாதிப்பு குறித்து தினசரி கண்காணிப்பை இன்று முதல் மேற்கொள்ள அனைத்து மாநிலங்கள்/யூனியன் பிரதேசங்களின் தலைமைச் செயலாளர்கள் மற்றும் அதிகாரிகளுக்கு உத்தரவு

வெப்பத்தால் ஏற்படும் உடல் பாதிப்பு குறித்து தினசரி கண்காணிப்பை, மார்ச் 1ம் தேதி முதல் மேற்கொள்ள அனைத்து மாநிலங்கள்/யூனியன் பிரதேசங்களின் தலைமைச் செயலாளர்கள் மற்றும் அதிகாரிகளுக்கு ஒன்றிய சுகாதாரச் செயலாளர் ராஜேஷ் பூஷன் அறிவுறுத்தல்!

Temperatures have already touched unusual high at some places in the Country and substantial deviations from expected normal temperatures for this time of the year are also being reported from some States/Districts. The Seasonal Outlook from India Meteorological Department (IMD) for March-May 2023 is enclosed for kind perusal.

2. I draw your attention to "National Action Plan on Heat Related Illnesses", which is available on website of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (https://ncdc.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/NationActionplanonHeat Related Illnesses.pdf), and would request you to disseminate this guidance document to all districts within your State for effective preparedness of health department and health facilities to address heat impact and management of cases arising because of it, record maintenance and surveillance etc. 3. From 1st March, 2023 daily surveillance on heat-related illnesses under National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) in all states and districts will be conducted on Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). Please ensure that all the health facilities participate using existing P-form level login information and continue to keep line lists of cases and deaths as per the prescribed formats.

4. The daily heat alerts which are being shared by NPCCHH, NCDC, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare with States indicate forecast of heat wave for next few days and may be disseminated promptly at District and Health Facility level. State, District and City Health Departments to ensure implementation of Heat-related Health action plans and support in planning, managing and assessing response to heat along with responding agencies.

5. Health Departments of the State must continue efforts on sensitization and capacity building of medical officers, health staff, grass-root level workers on heat illness, its early recognition and management. Training manuals developed by NCDC on these subjects are available and may

6. Health Facility preparedness must be reviewed for availability of adequate quantities of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, ice packs, ORS and all necessary equipments. Availability of sufficient drinking water at all Health Facilities and continued functioning of cooling appliances in critical areas must be ensured. 7. Health Facilities need to increase resilience to extreme heat by arranging uninterrupted electricity for constant functioning of cooling appliances, installation of solar panels (wherever feasible), energy conservation measures and measures to reduce indoor heat through cool/green roof (NDMA guidelines may be referred), window shades, shade outside etc. Rain Water Harvesting and Recycling Plants may also be explored for self-sufficiency in water.

8. States may also utilize Information, Education and Communication (IEC) as well as Community Level awareness materials developed by NPCCHH regarding the precautions to be taken by population to safeguard themselves against heat wave. A standard template of Public Health Advisory incorporating Do's and Don'ts, prepared by NCDC is being enclosed with this letter. This document could be used as a template and customized to suite local needs as well as translated in local languages for wider dissemination.

9. I am sure that with your effective leadership, the State would be able to promptly monitor and manage the health impact of heat this summer.