Keylong (Himachal Pradesh): Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday laid the foundation stone of the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research at Keylong in Himachal Pradesh, aimed at improving healthcare for Himalayan communities and Armed Forces personnel serving in extreme conditions.
After performing the Bhumi Pujan, Nadda said the centre would provide a strong institutional foundation for studying the health effects of low oxygen levels, extreme cold, changing climatic conditions and the distinctive lifestyles of tribal communities.
Systematic research would help identify region-specific health risks, develop appropriate interventions and strengthen preventive healthcare, he said.
The centre will build on an ICMR field station established at Keylong nearly a decade ago. It will operate throughout the year, with advanced laboratories and specialised personnel supporting research relevant to both military and civilian populations.
Its mandate includes altitude-related health risks, acclimatisation, maternal and newborn health, child growth and nutrition, and disease patterns in Himalayan communities.
Researchers will also examine how drone-enabled medicine delivery, digital health and artificial intelligence can improve access to healthcare in remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
Nadda highlighted collaboration among the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Armed Forces Medical Services and AIIMS Bilaspur. The institute will participate in studying the health impact of high-altitude conditions on patients visiting the region.
Combining scientific expertise with clinical experience would support evidence-based interventions for tribal communities and personnel deployed at high altitude, he said.
Linking the initiative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of stronger healthcare infrastructure and wider access to quality care, Nadda said it reflected the attention being given to the distinct needs of Himalayan and border populations.
He also praised ICMR’s contribution to COVID-19 vaccine development, saying it had helped combat the pandemic in India and other countries.
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, who attended as guest of honour, said the partnership would combine ICMR’s research capabilities with the Armed Forces’ experience of operating in high-altitude environments.
The joint work would deepen understanding of altitude’s effects on the human body and help develop effective medical solutions for soldiers and local communities, he said.
ICMR Director General and Department of Health Research Secretary Rajiv Bahl emphasised community participation in the centre’s work.
“Keylong will be a place where the laboratory and the community meet, where local people are partners in research and where the goal is better health, not just research papers,” he said.
Bahl acknowledged the contributions of the Armed Forces Medical Services, the Himachal Pradesh government and local residents.
Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja said combining field experience with ICMR’s scientific expertise would help translate findings into practical protocols for acclimatisation, early detection and treatment. The resulting knowledge would benefit soldiers deployed in demanding terrain as well as communities living in similar conditions, he added.
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said research into extreme cold, low oxygen and difficult terrain could improve healthcare for high-altitude communities across India and beyond.
Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut highlighted the role of improved connectivity in transforming areas once isolated for several months. She described the centre as an important step towards advancing research and improving well-being in remote Himalayan regions.
Former Lahaul and Spiti MLA Ravi Thakur also expressed confidence that its work would lead to better healthcare and preventive measures for neighbouring communities.
During the ceremony, Nadda and other dignitaries planted native Himalayan saplings under the Green ICMR Campus Initiative. He inaugurated a scientific exhibition for school students, launched the centre’s website and institutional video, and released a commemorative postal special cover.
Senior Armed Forces Medical Services and Indian Air Force officers, scientists, Panchayati Raj representatives and local residents attended.
The centre’s findings are expected to guide preventive and clinical care across India’s Himalayan and border regions, including Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
[DD News]