Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), has called for the introduction of a dedicated sea ambulance service to ensure the safety of fishermen facing medical emergencies while at sea.Speaking at a Conclave on Marine Multi-Hazards Services for the Indian Coastline, organised by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Swaminathan said fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations, second only to firefighting. She urged NDMA to set up sea ambulance facilities similar to road ambulance services to save lives during mid-sea emergencies.
She highlighted that fishermen currently have no access to life-support systems at sea, and rescue boats often take hours to reach distressed crews, leading to fatalities.
Dr. Swaminathan also stressed the urgent health risks faced by coastal communities due to rising temperatures, humidity, and extreme weather events. She called for recording heat index data, studying coastal populations separately, and adopting collaborative approaches involving governments, institutions, and NGOs to safeguard livelihoods and health.
Emphasizing the importance of nature-based solutions, she said mangroves provide better protection than concrete seawalls. “If we do not respect nature and promote blue-green infrastructure, our coastal cities will face dire consequences,” she warned, urging policymakers to adopt the “One Health” approach linking climate, environment, and public health.