R C Dhiman, a senior scientist with the National Institute of Malaria Research speaks about India's response to the spread of climate-related diseases
What steps and costs are needed to tackle the problem?
There is a need to assess the impacts of climate change on climate sensitive diseases, generate early evidence, identify vulnerable areas, assess current intervention measures and come up with a preparedness plan with emphasis on strengthening of health infrastructure, use of best intervention tools and health education to communities for meeting the challenge.
Ongoing projects in India
We are working on a project under the Ministry of Environment and Forests titled, "Assessment of impact of climate change on malaria and dengue at national scale and adaptation strategies for short, medium to long term scales."
What key challenges does the country face?
In addition to cholera, tuberculosis, plague and avian influenza mentioned in the "Deadly Dozens" report, vector borne diseases,transmitted mainly by insects, like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, leishmaniasis and filariasis also need attention.
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