New Delhi / Dehradun (The Hawk): "The Government is soon going to create a strong health support and emergency management infrastructure for the pilgrims embarking on Cham Dham yatra from across the country. This will be three layered structure to ensure that the pilgrims are provided for during their journey from medical point of view". This was stated by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, here today, after meeting with Dr Dhan Singh Rawat, Health Minister, Uttarakhand who called on the Minister and requested for support from Union Government for developing a health and emergency infrastructure for the lakhs of pilgrims who undertake the Char Dham yatra every year. He informed the Union Health Minister of the health challenges faced by pilgrims along the strenuous route, and the number of pilgrim deaths in the past few months due to health emergencies such as stroke etc. Many of these casualties were of pilgrims who suffered from co-morbidities, he added.
Dr Mandaviya assured full support from the Government of India and stated that "the best possible healthcare and health emergency infrastructure will be provided for the visiting pilgrims". He informed that a strong network of advance ambulances and stroke vans is planned to ensure that stroke management and treatment can start on way to the health facility. These ambulances will be stationed at different points on the yatra route, he added. PG students from medical colleges from across the country are proposed to be deployed as part of strengthened healthcare infrastructure who will act as first responders. "This experience will also act as a skilling and capacity building exercise for the PG students", Dr Mandaviya elaborated.