Govt creates centralized IT platform for health safety of pilgrims

Pilgrims to Himalayan holy sites are set to be given protection from ailments associated with high altitudes and extreme cold, with the Centre and Uttarakhand government working on a technology ecosystem linked to the digital health mission—Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

Called the pilgrim monitoring system, it would create an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID for all pilgrims to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath together called the Chardham and make their health records digitally accessible to doctors in case of a health emergency.

Additionally, the digital ecosystem will help identify morbidities in pilgrims so that doctors can take proactive health measures.

This year, there is a continuous surge in the number of pilgrims for Char Dham in Uttarakhand which commenced on 10 May. 

It is one of the biggest pilgrimages in India but mortality is high. About 29 pilgrims have died during the journey so far this year.

Most of the time, pilgrims are not in the condition to speak about their health conditions when they collapse during the yatra. Additionally, high altitudes can lead to delays in treatment.

Doctors say that many people fall sick due to low blood pressure, heart attack, altitude sickness, lack of oxygen and cold.