HRIDAY workshop on Extreme Heat and CKMDs

The First National Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on the Impact of Extreme Heat on Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Diseases (CKMDs) was held on 7 August 2026 in New Delhi. The consultation brought together stakeholders to build a shared understanding of the growing health risks posed by extreme heat and to identify priorities for strengthening India’s health systems to prevent, prepare for and respond to heat-related CKMDs.

Discussions were organised around three key themes:

(1) Integrated Health Systems and Clinical Preparedness;

(2) Surveillance, Early Warnings, Research and Evidence, including mental health; 

(3) Multi-sectoral Governance, Community Resilience and Partnerships. The consultation focused on connecting evidence and experiences from states with national policy and programme priorities.

Professor Preeti Negandhi summarised the proceedings of the Maharashtra consultation held on 4 August, highlighting the need to make heat risk a core component of CKMD management. She emphasised that heat considerations need to be embedded across service delivery, workforce training, surveillance, supply chains, financing and multisectoral governance. She also called for a strategic shift from reactive compensation towards proactive prevention, with coordinated action to strengthen climate-resilient, integrated and people-centred health systems.

The consultation aimed to build consensus on national priorities and develop recommendations for integrating heat-related CKMD risks into policies, programmes, surveillance systems, Heat Action Plans and governance mechanisms. The discussions will contribute towards a strategic roadmap for coordinated national and state-level action through strengthened policy, programme implementation, research and multi-stakeholder partnerships.