India Faces Looming Lung Health Crisis, Warns Top UK Doctor: 'Time for Urgent Action'

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India is on the brink of a major public health crisis, with air pollution being the biggest threat since the pandemic. According to a top UK doctor, a tsunami of airway disease is building, and unless urgent action is taken, it will exact a heavy toll on citizens and the healthcare system. Doctors warn that years of exposure to toxic emissions from urban transport, including automobiles and aircraft, have led to a hidden burden of undiagnosed airway disease. Consultant Pulmonologist Manish Gautam, who has over 20 years of experience at the UK's National Health Service, says that this crisis is not just about pollution control, but about early detection and treatment of airway diseases. The government has acknowledged the issue, but data presented in Parliament shows that over 2 lakh cases of acute respiratory illness were recorded in Delhi over the past three years, with around 30,000 patients requiring hospitalisation. Experts warn that the damage has already been done, and what is currently being managed represents only the tip of the iceberg. Cardiologist Rajay Narain highlights the 'overwhelming scientific evidence' linking air pollution to a range of diseases, including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and systemic conditions. He underscores the need for sustained, science-driven policies that prioritise clean air, protect vulnerable populations, and hold all stakeholders accountable. The Lancet Countdown report revealed that PM2.5 pollution led to over 17 lakh deaths in India in 2022, with the use of petrol for road transport contributing to 2.69 lakh deaths. A global study by the International Council on Clean Transportation showed that policies targeting road transport emissions could save 1.9 million lives and prevent 1.4 million new children's asthma cases worldwide by 2040. Healthcare professionals have repeatedly flagged the widespread impact of air pollution on public health, highlighting the urgency for intervention. The government needs to take immediate action to prevent a lung health emergency, and healthcare experts are calling for a rapid 'lung health task group' to be established to tackle this crisis.