News & Announcement
District Level Task Force Committee Meeting on Climate Change and Human Health Held in Soreng
Soreng, October 28 (IPR): A meeting to constitute the District Level Task Force Committee under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) was held today at the office of the District Collector, Soreng, under the chairmanship of District Collector, Mr Dhiraj Subedi.
Addressing the meeting, the DC-cum-Chairman proposed the inclusion of the Rural Development Department and the Water Resources Department in the committee to strengthen interdepartmental coordination. He also informed that the district has initiated preventive measures against vector borne diseases through the Swaccha Paani, Swastha Haami initiative, which focuses on cleaning drinking water tanks.
Emphasising the need for a coordinated and proactive approach to address the health impacts of climate change, the DC-cum-Chairman directed all concerned departments to work together in implementing preventive measures at the district level. He further stressed the importance of intensifying Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to sensitise the public about the link between climate change and human health. He encouraged active participation from local bodies, health workers, schools and community level institutions in promoting awareness about sanitation, hygiene, environmental protection and climate resilient practices.
The meeting commenced with a presentation by District Nodal Officer (NPCCHH), Mr Awiral Subba, who highlighted the impact of climate change on human health, the environment, society and the economy.
Briefing the members on the NPCCHH initiative, he informed that the programme was approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in February 2019. He outlined its key objectives, including creating awareness about the effects of climate change on human health, strengthening the preparedness of healthcare facilities, training healthcare workers to address climate related health risks, improving surveillance of climate sensitive diseases, and promoting coordination among various departments.
The presentation highlighted the role of the District Level Task Force Committee in coordinating NPCCHH activities at the district level. The committee supports the identification of local health risks, preparation of action plans, implementation of awareness activities and monitoring of programme progress. The roles and responsibilities of the committee members were also explained in detail.
Regarding air quality, the meeting was informed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the district falls under the Good category, represented by the colour green, as per data from the State Pollution Control Board, Sikkim.
It was also informed that IEC activities under NPCCHH are being conducted across the district. Field visits have also been undertaken at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) to assess their solarisation status under the programme.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among the Health Department, District Administration and other line departments for the effective implementation of NPCCHH activities in the district.
Present at the meeting were Additional Director (Agriculture), Mr Pranaya Gurung, Additional Director (AH&VS), Dr Kishore Thapa, CDPO (Soreng), Mrs Gauri Tamang, DFO (T), Ms Peggyla Venchungpa, DIO (Soreng), Dr Aaron E Lepcha, State Programme Officer (NPCCHH), Dr Salona Mukhia, MEO (SNP), Mr Roshan Sharma, District Health Education Officer, Ms Roshni Thapa, AEO (Education), Mr Govind Dhakal, State Programme Coordinator (NPCCHH), Ms Anusha Tiwari and representatives from other line departments.
Addressing the meeting, the DC-cum-Chairman proposed the inclusion of the Rural Development Department and the Water Resources Department in the committee to strengthen interdepartmental coordination. He also informed that the district has initiated preventive measures against vector borne diseases through the Swaccha Paani, Swastha Haami initiative, which focuses on cleaning drinking water tanks.
Emphasising the need for a coordinated and proactive approach to address the health impacts of climate change, the DC-cum-Chairman directed all concerned departments to work together in implementing preventive measures at the district level. He further stressed the importance of intensifying Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to sensitise the public about the link between climate change and human health. He encouraged active participation from local bodies, health workers, schools and community level institutions in promoting awareness about sanitation, hygiene, environmental protection and climate resilient practices.
The meeting commenced with a presentation by District Nodal Officer (NPCCHH), Mr Awiral Subba, who highlighted the impact of climate change on human health, the environment, society and the economy.
Briefing the members on the NPCCHH initiative, he informed that the programme was approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in February 2019. He outlined its key objectives, including creating awareness about the effects of climate change on human health, strengthening the preparedness of healthcare facilities, training healthcare workers to address climate related health risks, improving surveillance of climate sensitive diseases, and promoting coordination among various departments.
The presentation highlighted the role of the District Level Task Force Committee in coordinating NPCCHH activities at the district level. The committee supports the identification of local health risks, preparation of action plans, implementation of awareness activities and monitoring of programme progress. The roles and responsibilities of the committee members were also explained in detail.
Regarding air quality, the meeting was informed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the district falls under the Good category, represented by the colour green, as per data from the State Pollution Control Board, Sikkim.
It was also informed that IEC activities under NPCCHH are being conducted across the district. Field visits have also been undertaken at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) to assess their solarisation status under the programme.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among the Health Department, District Administration and other line departments for the effective implementation of NPCCHH activities in the district.
Present at the meeting were Additional Director (Agriculture), Mr Pranaya Gurung, Additional Director (AH&VS), Dr Kishore Thapa, CDPO (Soreng), Mrs Gauri Tamang, DFO (T), Ms Peggyla Venchungpa, DIO (Soreng), Dr Aaron E Lepcha, State Programme Officer (NPCCHH), Dr Salona Mukhia, MEO (SNP), Mr Roshan Sharma, District Health Education Officer, Ms Roshni Thapa, AEO (Education), Mr Govind Dhakal, State Programme Coordinator (NPCCHH), Ms Anusha Tiwari and representatives from other line departments.
