Foundation Stone Ceremony Scheduled for July 11
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will lay the foundation stone of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research at Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti on July 11. This marks a significant milestone in healthcare and scientific research for the Himalayan region.
India’s First Dedicated High-Altitude Medicine Institution
Being established by the ICMR under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the centre will be India’s first dedicated institution for high-altitude medicine and public health research. It will upgrade the existing ICMR field station at Keylong into a multidisciplinary hub for research, innovation and capacity building, catering to the healthcare needs of Himalayan and other climate-sensitive regions.
Research Focus Areas
The centre will address health challenges associated with extreme weather, difficult terrain, low oxygen levels and climate variability. Research will focus on high-altitude physiology, acclimatisation, mountain medicine, climate-sensitive and emerging diseases, infectious and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, mental health, environmental and occupational health and disaster medicine. It will also promote digital health technologies, telemedicine, drone-enabled healthcare logistics and real-time public health surveillance to improve healthcare delivery in remote areas.
Strategic Importance and Collaborations
Located in the strategically important border district of Lahaul-Spiti, the facility will enable long-term scientific studies on high-altitude and tribal populations. The findings are expected to strengthen national programmes on tribal health, disaster preparedness, climate-resilient healthcare and digital health, while contributing to global research on high-altitude medicine. The centre will collaborate with the Armed Forces Medical Services, DRDO, the Himachal Pradesh Government and leading academic institutions.
Ceremony Highlights
The foundation stone ceremony will feature a traditional bhumi pujan, plantation of native Himalayan saplings, a scientific exhibition, launch of the centre’s website and introductory film and release of a commemorative postal special cover.
