Strengthening the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2024

Over the years, the Act has inspired an evolution from stewardship to resilience, which is an essential component of recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation. Risk-sensitive planning, saving lives and livestock, and adapting to the challenges of our times are absolutely essential given the increasing interaction between humans and nature. Without a doubt, the DM Act 2005 has provided a solid framework for incorporating history lessons, disaster management and science integration.

However, the DM Amendment Bill, 2024, which was recently introduced in Parliament to prepare for a resilient India, has left out many key layers that influence the outcome of our existence. The current landscape requires new algorithms built on thematic connections, technologies and new lessons, which requires a completely new way of thinking, appropriate for our times, taking into account a systems approach.

In 2005, when the law came into force, mobile phone use was in its infancy, artificial intelligence and big data did not exist, social media was being experimented with, and citizens had never focused on the extreme weather events that the current climate crisis presents. . In India at that time, the Act was comprehensive, ensuring transparency and reasonable discretion. Nineteen years have passed, to put it simply, we can say that we have already had two decades.

India, with its enormous geographic and climatic diversity, is at the forefront of experiencing the profound impacts of the climate crisis, which is deteriorating public health and community development. Connecting climate and health poses a complex set of challenges, including the exacerbation of existing health problems, the emergence of new health threats, and the strain on health care infrastructure.

The bill must move from a preparedness-based approach to a risk-prevention approach that seeks to plug any possible gaps not in the next few years, but in the foreseeable future. The 2024 DM Amendment Act should also create a risk-aware planning algorithm to engage multidimensional stakeholders in targeted risk reduction efforts.

The DM Amendment Act 2024 should address the security of healthcare systems and address all levels of healthcare to be disaster-prepared, ready for and responsive to disasters. This would mean training doctors, nurses, paramedics and ward assistants in adapting to disaster risk. For example: In the event of a power outage caused by a major flood, health care systems must be able to recover and rebuild ICU units, dialysis centers and operating rooms, which become critical layers of care in emergencies. On large hospital campuses, a decision must be made to identify field hospitals to manage emergency needs and respond to adverse events. Supply chains will naturally fail during natural disasters, so they need to be strengthened during the preparedness stage. The act of strengthening health infrastructure must be based on improving oversight and reducing political jargon, must address cross-sector thematic threats, and must also be incorporated into medical education.

The template during disasters is always fully human altruism, often led by NGOs as warriors on the front lines alongside trained responders tied to government systems. In addition, there are several non-governmental organizations that have become involved at both local and political levels, but many district-level officials find it difficult to engage them. When NGOs suggest progressive steps, the district administration must create a mechanism that can enable them to do so and encourage them to take further action. Clarity about commitment and commitment is crucial to optimizing the Act.

As temperatures rise, sea levels rise and intense heatwaves occur, the threat to life and livestock will continue to increase. This will further increase mortality and exacerbate chronic diseases, especially diseases of the circulatory system, respiratory system and kidneys, as well as mental diseases.

Readiness will mean engaging in sustainable farming practices and crop diversification, addressing meat consumption, food security mitigation measures and farm-to-plate food demand. The technology can be used to support data surveillance of disease, climate patterns and patient flow within the hospital. However, this will should be translated and flowed from national-level policies to actions at the state and local levels.

This article was written by Edmond Fernandes, Honorary Director of the Edward and Cynthia Institute of Public Health, Mangaluru.