Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda will lay the foundation stone of the ICMR Centre for Research in High Altitude Medicine and Public Health ( ICMR-CHAMP ) at Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh on October 12 , 2026. The Centre is being established by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , Government of India. Its primary objective is to strengthen multidisciplinary research , innovation, and capacity building focused on high-altitude and climate-sensitive regions of India.
The Himalayan ecosystem presents unique public health challenges due to its high altitude , extreme climatic conditions , difficult terrain , geographic isolation, and increasing climate variability. These factors influence disease patterns , access to health services , occupational health, and emergency response. The Center will work to generate scientific evidence and develop tailored, context-specific, and broadly applicable health solutions for people living and working in these challenging environments.
The Centre’s research scope will include high-altitude physiological function and adaptation , 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 work to integrate digital health platforms , telemedicine , drone-powered health logistics, and real-time public health surveillance to improve access to healthcare services in remote and difficult areas .
Located in Lahaul and Spiti , the Centre will provide a vital institutional platform for long-term field research on high-altitude and tribal populations in this strategically important border region. Its location will facilitate long-term studies and research on the links between environmental conditions , climate change, and health outcomes. The Centre is expected to contribute to national priorities in tribal health , disaster preparedness , digital health innovation, and the development of climate-resilient health systems , as well as strengthen India’s contribution to global research in high-altitude medicine.
This initiative will promote institutional collaborations between the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and research institutions of national importance in India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh. These partnerships will support translational research , scientific exchange , capacity building, and evidence-based policy development , advancing the Government of India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the areas of health research and inclusive and climate-resilient healthcare.
The event will include the traditional Bhoomi Pujan , symbolic laying of the foundation stone, and unveiling of the foundation stone , followed by plantation of native Himalayan plants under the ‘ Green ICMR Campus Initiative . ‘ The event will also include the inauguration of a scientific exhibition , launch of the Centre’s institutional video and website , presentation of the building layout, and release of a special commemorative postal envelope by the Union Health Minister.
The event will be attended by Shri Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence, Government of India ; Shri Jai Ram Thakur, Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and former Chief Minister ; Ms. Kangana Ranaut, Member of Parliament from Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) ; Ms. Anuradha Rana, Member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Lahaul-Spiti and Shri Ravi Thakur, former Member of the Legislative Assembly.
Other dignitaries attending the event include Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja , Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services ; Dr. Rajiv Bahl , Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR; Mrs. Manisha Saxena , Joint Secretary , Department of Health Research ; Mr. Vivek Kumar Daksh , Senior Deputy Director General (Administration) , ICMR ; Dr. Alka Sharma , Additional Director General (Extramural), and Dr. Richa Pandey, Senior Financial Advisor. In addition , senior officials from the Central and Himachal Pradesh governments , representatives from the armed forces , scientists , public health experts , research institutions, and other key stakeholders will also participate in the event.
