Nainital's Kainchi Dham Launches First Medical Emergency Helicopter Service

The temple administration, in collaboration with the district administration, has arranged for a helicopter service to carry devotees to a nearby health facility in case of any medical emergency on June 15th.

Nainital's Kainchi Dham has introduced its first-ever helicopter service in the region to cater to healthcare emergencies on the foundation day of Kainchi Dham in Nainital on June 15.

The Kainchi Dham administration, in collaboration with the district administration, has arranged for this helicopter service facility to carry devotees to a nearby health facility in case of any medical emergency.

The facility has been arranged to manage the high number of devotees turnout expected on June 15, the foundation day of Kainchi Dham in Nainital.

As per the temple committee officials, this is a first-of-kind facility arranged by the authority in the region. Further, the entire area will be under drone CCTV cameras to track any health emergency.

Reportedly, Kumaon commissioner Deepak Rawat chaired a meeting on Monday where these decisions were taken. During the annual festival, discussions were held regarding parking, health facilities, electricity, water transport, and shuttle services.

Providing further details, the commissioner said, "The use of horns, plastic, smoking, tobacco, social media, and distribution of free food and beverages by organizations or individuals along the roadside between Kainchi Dham and Bhowali has also been strictly prohibited."

Other Remote Healthcare Initiatives

In a recent development, the Union government, along with the Government of Uttarakhand, is developing a technology ecosystem linked to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to safeguard pilgrims from high-altitude ailments and extreme cold.

Pilgrims visiting the sacred Himalayan sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, collectively known as the Char Dham, will soon benefit from the enhanced health protection measures.

The initiative, termed the pilgrim monitoring system, aims to create an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID for each pilgrim.

This digital health ID will make the pilgrims' health records accessible to doctors in case of emergencies, facilitating timely and accurate medical intervention.

The Char Dham pilgrimage, one of India's largest religious journeys, commenced on May 10, 2024.

Despite its spiritual significance, the pilgrimage is fraught with health risks due to high altitudes and extreme weather conditions.

This year, a surge in the number of pilgrims has been observed, and tragically, 29 pilgrims have lost lives so far.

Common health issues among pilgrims include low blood pressure, heart attacks, altitude sickness, and lack of oxygen.

In another groundbreaking move to enhance emergency healthcare accessibility, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced the commencement of India's maiden Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) from Uttarakhand.

The inaugural HEMS is expected to operate from the All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. The service aims to provide swift medical assistance to those in need, particularly in remote areas where access to healthcare facilities is limited.

The HEMS will be stationed at the AIIMS Rishikesh, strategically positioned to cover a radius of 150 km. This setup enables rapid airlifting of individuals who have encountered accidents or medical emergencies, ensuring prompt access to critical healthcare facilities.

The initiative also seeks to minimize response times and deliver vital medical care to those residing in remote and mountainous areas, where access to healthcare infrastructure is limited.