KEYLONG: Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda performed the Bhumi Pujan and laid the foundation stone for the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shri Nadda stated that the facility will build a strong institutional foundation for high-altitude health research and advance scientific understanding of health challenges in the Himalayan region. He emphasized the necessity of systematic research to evaluate the health impacts of low oxygen levels, extreme cold, changing climate conditions, and the unique lifestyles of local tribal communities to strengthen preventive healthcare.
The initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to upgrade healthcare infrastructure in remote Himalayan and border regions. The new institution expands upon a field station established by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in Keylong nearly a decade ago, converting it into a permanent, year-round research facility equipped with advanced laboratories and specialized staff.
A core aspect of the project is a joint collaboration between ICMR, the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), and AIIMS Bilaspur. Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth noted that combining ICMR’s scientific research capabilities with the field experience of the Armed Forces will accelerate the development of practical medical protocols for acclimatization, early detection, and clinical treatment in demanding terrains.
Outlining the scientific objectives, ICMR Director General Dr. Rajiv Bahl stated that Keylong will serve as a venue where the laboratory and community meet as research partners, aiming for direct health improvements rather than just academic papers. Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, DGFMS, added that the research findings will directly enhance medical care for troops stationed in extreme terrains while simultaneously benefiting local high-altitude populations.
The facility’s research mandate will focus on altitude-related medical risks, acclimatization protocols, maternal and newborn health, child growth and nutrition, and regional disease trends. Furthermore, the centre will investigate modern technological applications, including drone-based medicine delivery, digital healthcare tools, and artificial intelligence, to improve medical access in difficult terrain. The generated evidence will support healthcare delivery across India’s Himalayan and border territories, including Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut, and former Lahaul & Spiti MLA Ravi Thakur also addressed the gathering, emphasizing that improved regional connectivity and localized research will significantly benefit Himalayan communities across the globe.
To mark the occasion, Union Minister Nadda and attending dignitaries planted native Himalayan saplings as part of the Green ICMR Campus Initiative. Shri Nadda also launched the centre’s official website and institutional video, inaugurated a scientific exhibition for school students, and released a commemorative postal special cover. The event was attended by senior officers from the Armed Forces Medical Services and Indian Air Force, scientists, local Panchayati Raj representatives, and residents.
