The Uttarakhand government has initiated preparations to ensure availability of helicopter and boat ambulance services, besides health monitoring through the e-health Dham portal for the Chardham Yatra. The yatra is slated to begin on April 30.
The state’s health secretary, R Rajesh Kumar, has described this year’s initiatives as ‘unprecedented’.
Two new hospitals are being opened in Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham. The former will be a 17-bed hospital, while the latter will have 45 beds. In addition, 25 specialist doctors will be deployed on the yatra route, so that the devotees can get quick medical assistance.
Around 20 medical relief posts and 31 health check-up centres will be set up on the yatra route. These will keep a check on pilgrims to ensure they are not suffering from any altitude-related health problems. The altitude is the single factor responsible for most health issues. In transit districts like Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri and Tehri, 37 permanent health centres have been strengthened while new screening units will be set up.
The number of ambulances deployed has been increased to 154 of which 17 ambulances will be Advanced Life Support Ambulances. Helicopter ambulances operated by AIIMS Rishikesh and boat ambulances will also be available in the Tehri Lake, so that the pilgrims can get quick medical assistance in case of emergency.
During last year’s yatra, more than 34,000 medical emergency cases were reported, in which 1,011 patients were rescued by ambulance and 90 patients by helicopter.
The number of health friends (first medical responders) is also being increased so that the pilgrims can get immediate medical assistance during the journey.
Technological advances include an upgradation of the e-health Dham portal. A button will be introduced for pilgrims to get immediate help in case of emergencies. Apart from this, 28 important health parameters of pilgrims will be checked immediately through the Point of Care Testing Device.
The central government has chipped in by sanctioning incentives to health workers and also providing money for a 50-bed hospital in Guptkashi.
Health declaration for pilgrims will be made mandatory so that high risk pilgrims can be identified before they commence the yatra. The emergency call centre will be further strengthened and people associated with hotels, dharamshalas, mule owners and other local services on the travel route will be trained, so that the safety of the pilgrims can be ensured.