Healthcare sector is not only a victim of climate change, but also a contributor to the problem: K Srinath Reddy of PHFI

Your book Pulse to Planet advocates for a holistic approach to health. What are the low-hanging fruits?

I would place a lot of emphasis on primary healthcare. It is absolutely important for us to recognise that this is where most diseases can be addressed — right from prevention and positive health promotion to early detection, effective care, and referral as needed — so that we do not allow diseases to develop to a severe stage.

When that happens, people are forced to go to hospitals at a considerable distance and expense. That burdens individuals as well as the health and financial systems of the country. So investments in health are absolutely necessary.

Recognising that some level of advanced care is also required, we need to invest in our district and medical college hospitals and ensure that secondary care is available, along with essential elements of tertiary care.

Global warming is set to continue. How would you advise people to take care of their own interests at an individual level?

Global warming will result in a number of health problems. People are wilting in the heat, getting very sick, or even dying from it. We also know that global warming and climate change lead to an increase in vector-borne diseases, especially mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, chikungunya, dengue and Zika.

We will see all of these happening with much greater frequency. We will also see water-borne diseases due to extreme weather events, such as floods causing water contamination, or extreme heat leading to droughts and water scarcity.

There will be other health problems too — strokes, heart attacks, mental health issues, and renal failure. It’s also likely to affect agriculture and food systems, leading to nutritional insecurity.

So, in terms of facing the challenge of extreme heat, I would say: make sure people do not expose themselves to extreme heat for long periods.

There is a pressure on Indian companies to adopt ESG (Environmental, social and governance practices? Do you think the healthcare sector is in a position to adopt ESG practices?

We recognise that the healthcare sector is not only a victim of climate change — with extreme weather events damaging infrastructure, disrupting transport systems, and stranding healthcare personnel — but it is also a contributor to the problem.

The healthcare system itself generates a significant amount of greenhouse gases. Globally, it’s estimated that about 5.4% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the healthcare sector. Many healthcare facilities are beginning to respond to this challenge by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while also moving toward more climate-resilient infrastructure.

What would be your major concerns about the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on health?

As far as the SDGs are concerned, we must recognise that the entire agenda is a mixed bag. We need to do more to reach the 2030 targets. My concern is not so much with the national aggregate indicator — it’s the disparity between states that worries me. We need to ensure these gaps are bridged. Otherwise, our national indicators will also begin to slip.