Delhi Air Pollution: The nation's capital, Delhi, is currently experiencing the havoc of air pollution. Let us explain what a health emergency is and when it is implemented.

Health emergency in Delhi-NCR

Public Health Emergency: The air quality in Delhi is currently very poor, with the Air Quality Index reaching life-threatening levels in many areas. The AQI has been recorded above 400. Thus, the capital is once again in the grip of a serious public health emergency. The toxic winter air has enveloped the city to such an extent that millions of people are breathing in dangerous smog. AIIMS doctors say that this pollution is harming people from "birth to the end of life," and the number of patients in hospitals is rapidly increasing.

The state of hospitals is proof of this. At AIIMS, every biweekly outpatient department is overflowing with patients. Let us explain what a health emergency is and when the government implements it.

What is a health emergency?

A health emergency is declared when an incident or threat becomes so severe that the normal health system cannot easily handle it, and widespread impacts are felt. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this situation is based on three main criteria: first, the problem must be serious, sudden, or unusual. It is a type of alert that requires the government to recognize that the situation is no longer normal and that immediate action is necessary.

When does the government announce this?

It's not always declared; it has certain rules and regulations. It's declared in dire circumstances. Before it's declared, the situation becomes something like this:

• The infection is spreading rapidly.
• Sudden surge in patients in hospitals
• The normal treatment system started breaking down.
• There is a direct threat to people's lives.
• pollution reaches dangerous levels

Then the government accepts that now an emergency situation has arisen and special steps will have to be taken.

What does the government do in a health emergency?

• Provision of additional beds in hospitals
• Increasing medical staff, ambulances, and facilities
• Temporary decisions on schools, offices, or markets
• People are advised to stay indoors.
• Providing immediate medical resources
• If pollution occurs, some activities will be banned.

To put it simply, a health emergency is declared when an illness or health hazard threatens the health of an entire city or state, and the normal system is unable to handle it.