Synopsis
It’s suggested that people should spend at least 20-48 hours during the journey on adapting to a particular location, and then only proceed further.
As per a latest development, all pilgrims aged above 50, and suffering from other ailments going to Char Dham Yatra, will now be required to get their health check-up done. This move comes after an expert committee was constituted to assess the deaths of pilgrims during the yatra.
Referring to this, Uttarakhand State Health Secretary Radhika Jha informed that the panel has suggested that elderly people, and those suffering from serious ailments should travel only after getting their health check-up done.
An expert committee, in its report, added that more than 60% of the people who died during the journey were suffering from serious ailments. It’s suggested that people should spend at least 20-48 hours during the journey on adapting to a particular location, and then only proceed further.
Jha also added that health check-ups of all pilgrims above 50 years of age is also being done on the Yatra route, and those found unfit are being returned. He added that 87 people have been advised to return so far.
The Health Secretary also added that an air ambulance service is being provided for the first time to ensure quick medical aid is provided to pilgrims, whereas adequate supply of oxygen is also available at all medical units.
Jha added that for the first time, specialist doctors have been posted in major hospitals on the Yatra route to provide proper treatment to those suffering from heart ailments. These have been put into place since Char Dham shrines are located in high altitude areas, and often pilgrims with comorbidities face health hazards after getting exposed to extreme cold conditions.
Those who have suffered from COVID also need to be cautious while undertaking the pilgrimage as the high altitude terrain can lead to a lack of oxygen, resulting in breathing issues as well as cardiac arrest in some cases.
