PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | /Dehradun
More than five lakh pilgrims have undergone health screening on the Char Dham Yatra routes since the pilgrimage began this year. Stating this, the Health secretary Rajesh Kumar said that on the directions of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health minister Dhan Singh Rawat, the Health department has made proper health service arrangements on the Yatra routes. Of the lakhs of pilgrims who undertake the Yatra every year, many are aged, suffer from cardiac or respiratory issues while many are visiting a mountainous region for the first time. Such persons can face serious health risks due to the altitude, cold and lack of oxygen. Considering this, the health services have been strengthened at three levels this time, he said.
Kumar said that the priority of the government this year was not only the number of pilgrims but also to look after their safety and health. “For this purpose, we are working on technology, specialisation and human resources. In the Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag districts where the Char Dham are situated, 49 health centres and 20 medical relief posts have been activated. Proper medical services have also been ensured in the transit districts of Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri and Pauri. We have put up 57 screening posts at the starting points of the Yatra. Two new screening centres each have been added in Haridwar and Rishikesh, two in Vikasnagar and one at Kaliyasaud in Pauri,” Kumar said.
The secretary informed that this year, a new 17-bed hospital has also been brought into service for pilgrims at Kedarnath Dham. The government has posted 31 specialist doctors, 200 medical officers and 381 paramedical staff on the Yatra routes. In addition to this, 24 additional medical officers, 35 paramedical staff are also included on roster basis. Among the specialist doctors, 47 are from the State Health Service, 13 from the Government of India and five from private medical colleges. Kumar further said that in the screening of pilgrims done so far, many have been found afflicted by high blood pressure, respiratory issues and other health conditions. About 29 pilgrims were advised to not proceed with the pilgrimage and sent back for their own safety. Further, 369 pilgrims were taken by ambulance and 33 by helicopter ambulance service for necessary treatment, he added.
