(HT)
Days ahead of the Char Dham Yatra, the state health department has launched an extensive medical infrastructure and health initiatives along the Char Dham Yatra route this season, officials familiar with the matter said.
Acting on the directives from chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and health minister Dhan Singh Rawat, health secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar chaired a review meeting on Wednesday evening with chief medical officers (CMOs) from across the yatra region at the Secretariat.
“To provide pilgrims with clear and easily accessible health information, a multilingual health advisory is being prepared in 13 languages. These advisories will be accessible via QR codes distributed at hotels, restaurants, parking areas, and key points along the route. Simultaneously, health awareness campaigns are underway through hoardings placed at high-traffic and critical stopover areas,” he said.
“At least 69 medical officers have been stationed along the route. Additionally, specialist doctors will be rotated every fortnight to reinforce the workforce. These include orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, general surgeons, physicians, and specialists deployed by the Government of India in key sectors such as Badrinath and Jyotirmath . The overall setup features 121 staff nurses, 26 pharmacists, 309 oxygen-equipped beds, 6 ICU beds, 13 departmental ambulances, 17 emergency ambulances, one blood bank and two blood storage units,” Kumar said.
“Medical Relief Posts (MRPs) at Badrinath, Govindghat, and Palna Bhandar will continue to operate this season, with five new MRPs being added in Gauchar, Nangsu, Mandal, Katora, and Hanuman Chatti to boost emergency healthcare services, said NS Bindra, president, Hemkund Sahib Management Trust.
