The Impact of Climate Change on Healthcare Requirements By Dr Sauren Panja, Senior Consultant & Administrative Lead - Critical Care Services (NH East)

News Desk, News Nation 360: The rise of vector-borne and heat-related illnesses is directly impacted by rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns, which are drastically changing India's healthcare system. During seasonal changes, especially when temperatures reach between 20°C and 30°C—ideal circumstances for mosquito breeding—healthcare professionals are noticing a significant increase in diseases including Dengue, Malaria, and Chikungunya. Poor drainage and water stagnation in urban environments make this susceptibility worse, impacting both indoor people in densely populated areas and high-risk outdoor labour. In addition to infectious infections, the increase in extended heatwaves has resulted in an increase in clinical instances of heatstroke and dehydration, creating a dual strain on medical services. Experts stress a shift from reactive treatment to proactive preparedness in order to address this changing challenge. This includes enhanced disease surveillance, community-led prevention measures like removing standing water, and specialised training for healthcare providers to identify health patterns associated with climate change. In the end, integrating environmental awareness with early diagnostic action continues to be the most effective method for creating resilient communities in a changing climate, even as geographical boundaries for these diseases extend into formerly low-risk locations.

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