Indian Chest Society criticises NMC’s decision to remove respiratory medicine departments amid rising air pollution – Healthcare News

The Indian Chest Society on Thursday voiced significant concerns regarding the escalating air pollution crisis in India, where Air Quality Index (AQI) levels have surpassed 1,000 in several regions.

According to the society, this severe pollution is leading to a marked increase in respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

The Indian Chest Society, a non-profit organization for respiratory and pulmonary physicians, is dedicated to raising awareness about the severe health implications of air pollution.

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In a move to address this crisis, the Delhi Government has instructed all its hospitals to form specialist teams to manage patients suffering from respiratory ailments due to the severe air pollution. Additionally, the Delhi health department has mandated hospitals to monitor and report daily cases of respiratory ailments, including both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) cases, and to promptly flag any unusual increase in the number of cases.

During a press conference on Thursday, the body also raised concerns over National Medical Commission’s (NMC) decision to remove Respiratory Medicine departments from MBBS medical college hospitals. Earlier this year, IMA Chief R.V. Ashokan emphasised that this decision could be a big hurdle in India’s battle against Tuberculosis.

Last year, NMC removed the departments of respiratory medicine, emergency medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation from the list of essential departments for running undergraduate courses, while the department of integrative medical research was added to the list.

Dr. Arun Madan, Professor and Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Hindurao Medical College, Delhi, emphasized the critical role that medical college hospitals have played for decades as hubs for advanced respiratory care and training.

During the press briefing today, he expressed grave concerns over the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) decision to remove Respiratory Medicine departments from MBBS medical college hospitals. This decision, formalized through the “Guidelines for Undergraduate Courses under Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses & Assessment and Rating Regulations, 2023” (UGMSR 2023 Guidelines), threatens to undermine the nation’s capacity to manage respiratory health effectively.

Meanwhile, Dr. G.C. Khilnani, Director of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at PSRI Hospital Delhi and Chairman of the Indian Chest Society (North Zone), highlighted that India is among the most polluted nations globally, with over 99% of its population exposed to PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO safety guidelines.

“This dire situation demands urgent action to mitigate pollution and strengthen medical infrastructure capable of addressing its health consequences. Key health impacts include the exacerbation of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, with AQI levels above 1,000 severely affecting respiratory health, especially in vulnerable groups. The increased healthcare demand is evident, as over 50% of healthcare consultations in India are for respiratory symptoms, according to the POSEIDON study published in The Lancet in 2015,” he said.

Dr. Khilnani stressed the need for systemic interventions, such as robust respiratory healthcare infrastructure, to meet the growing healthcare demands driven by air pollution.

Meanwhile, Dr. Manoj Goel, Principal Director and Head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Fortis Medical Research Institute, Gurugram, underscored the importance of effective policies to reduce air pollution and its health impacts. These include adopting clean technologies in industries, expanding renewable energy use, improving urban planning for energy-efficient cities, and implementing advanced waste management practices.

According to WHO, achieving even the first interim air quality target could prevent 300,000 deaths annually, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts across sectors. Dr. Goel also emphasized the imperative need for access to quality respiratory healthcare in the current scenario.

Dr. Rakesh Chawla, Chairman of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine at Saroj Superspeciality Hospital and Jaipur Golden Hospital, Delhi, and Vice President of the Indian Chest Society, highlighted the critical role of Respiratory Medicine departments in medical colleges.

These departments are essential for diagnosing and managing complex respiratory conditions and supporting public health initiatives. Their removal jeopardizes patient care, particularly for tuberculosis (TB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pollution-related illnesses, and undermines India’s TB elimination goals. The absence of these departments limits comprehensive care and diminishes hospitals’ capacity to meet broader community health needs. Additionally, the NMC’s decision has raised governance concerns, as it lacked transparency and bypassed necessary parliamentary approval. The Government of India has intervened to uphold respiratory care priorities amid rising air pollution challenges.

Moreover, Dr. Aditya Chawla, Consultant in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Critical Care & Sleep Disorders at Jaipur Golden Hospital and Saroj Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi, emphasized the need for comprehensive strategies to protect the health of millions of Indians.

He advocated for robust air pollution mitigation efforts, including clean energy adoption and sustainable urban planning. Dr. Chawla also highlighted the importance of reinstating Respiratory Medicine as a mandatory department in MBBS medical colleges to provide essential respiratory care. He called for aligning policies with public health goals to enhance healthcare infrastructure and address India’s respiratory crisis effectively.