"Climate change biggest abuser of children's rights"
Source: Chronicle News Service / Nongmaithem Debarani Devi

Imphal, June 22 2025: With the birth and development of a new wave of concern enveloping children s health, climate change has become a rapidly emerging crisis in the region.

In recent years, air quality in Imphal valley has been deteriorating, particularly during the dry season, mainly due to dust pollution and either man-made or natural wildfires.

Here, children, in particular, are at risk of developing lungs infection, already a grim reality as is evident from increasing asthma and bronchitis cases reported in urban centres like Imphal and certain other areas, which doctors attribute to chronic exposure to smoke and dust.

Erratic weather patterns causing frequent flooding and droughts often lead to displacement of families, disturb their access to clean water, and increase waterborne diseases like diarrhoea and skin diseases, especially in children below five years of age.

In the hill districts, where health systems are often scanty, it is a challenge to seek treatment on time.

"Children make up one-third of the world's population, and regions with the largest paediatric populations such as India, China, Pakistan, and Central Africa, are among the worst affected by climate change," said Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh, senior paediatrician and chairman of the Mother's Care Children Hospital & Research Centre.

"Unlike adults, children lack both awareness and the physical capacity to deal with extreme weather events.

Their thermoregulation systems are still developing, which makes them especially vulnerable to heat waves, dehydration, and temperature-related stress," he added.

"They depend on adults for protection, and when institutions fail to act, the consequences are devastating", according to Dr Ratankumar, who said the effects of climate change on children are both direct and indirect.

Direct impacts include exposure to heat, food and water scarcity, poor hygiene conditions, and physical harm from disasters such as floods and wildfires.

Indirect impacts include increased air pollution, inadequate ventilation in homes and schools, and rising cases of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and scrub typhus.

He also pointed to a rise in mental health issues among children, including anxiety and depression, as a result of climate-induced stress, displacement, and poor living conditions.

"Young children and the youth are frustrated that the adults and the government are doing them wrong by not doing enough to mitigate the climate crisis, especially when they do not have the means or power to advocate for the same," maintained the medical professional.

Meanwhile, state health data is showing mixed progress with infant mortality rate dropping to 16 per 1,000 live births, and stunting among children under five put at 23.4 per cent, both better than the national average.

However, the prevalence of anaemia has reached 42.8 per cent among children aged 6-9 months.

Experts have linked this to climate-related food insecurity and declining dietary diversity.

Underweight prevalence stands at 13.3 per cent, and immunisation coverage is at 68.8 per cent, both vulnerable to climate-related disruptions.

In 2023, the state achieved a high deworming coverage of 94 per cent, but institutional delivery rates remain low at 69.1 per cent, making maternal and child healthcare services especially susceptible during extreme weather events.

Paediatrician Dr Surjakanta Thounaojam noted that children in early adolescence often receive less supervision compared to infants, making it harder to detect symptoms early.

"Parents typically expect children to fall sick in winter, but the pattern is changing.

In the last 5 to 10 years, we have seen more young patients coming in with respiratory and diarrheal issues during the hotter months," he pointed out.

According to state nodal officer for climate change & human health, Dr Yengkhom Niveda, children are more at risk due to their developing immune systems and limited ability to regulate body temperature.

"With rising heat and worsening air quality, children are increasingly vulnerable to dehydration, heatstroke, and respiratory illnesses," she said.

She added that displacement caused by climate-related disasters can disrupt children's education and contribute to long-term mental and physical health problems.

"Studies also show that climate stressors like extreme heat and flooding lower the nutritional value of food crops, thereby further worsening malnutrition," Dr Niveda said.

In response, the state health department is stepping up awareness campaigns, school-based emergency preparedness, and through adolescent-focused programmes such as the Rashtriya Kishor Swastha Karyakram (RKSK).

Heat wave safety protocols and first aid measures have also been introduced in schools and clinics.

Heat advisories are issued after consideration and it remains in effect till June-July.

"While climate change is not the sole cause of all child health issues, it significantly amplifies existing challenges," Dr Niveda noted.

Meanwhile, Dr Ratan-kumar stressed the urgent need for more studies and immediate interventions.

"It is today, and it is now.

Immediate action is required as climate change is a present crisis.

We cannot delay any longer," he said.

Experts agree that while large-scale policy responses are necessary, small, community-level actions can also make a difference such as ensuring children remain hydrated, avoid the outdoors during extreme heat, and have access to safe, well-ventilated environments.

"As hot nights increasingly disrupt children's sleep and well-being, this is no longer just an environmental issue.

It is now a matter of protecting children's fundamental rights to health, education, safety, and peace," said Dr Ratankumar, adding that "Climate change is the biggest abuser of children's right" .

(The report is filed under the 5th Media Fellowship Programme on Climate Change Reporting under the sponsorship of Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur) .

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