Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, today performed the Bhoomi Pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) and laid the foundation stone of the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh. He expressed confidence that the Centre will establish a strong institutional base for health research in high altitude areas and advance scientific understanding of the health challenges faced by people living in the Himalayan region and personnel working in high altitude areas.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Shri Nadda emphasized the importance of dedicated scientific research to understand the health implications of low oxygen levels , extreme cold , changing climatic conditions, and the unique lifestyles of tribal communities. He highlighted the need for systematic studies of these region-specific challenges to identify health risks , develop appropriate interventions, and strengthen preventive healthcare.
Referring to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring access to quality healthcare, Shri Nadda said that the establishment of this centre reflects the importance of meeting the healthcare needs of people living in remote Himalayan and border areas. He said that research-based interventions will help improve health outcomes and enhance the well-being of local communities and serving Armed Forces personnel in these challenging environments.
Shri Nadda commended the collaboration between ICMR and the Armed Forces Medical Services in establishing the center. He also acknowledged the contribution of AIIMS Bilaspur , which will participate in the study of the health impacts of high-altitude conditions on patients visiting the region. This collaboration will bring together scientific expertise and clinical experience to develop a deeper understanding of health challenges in high-altitude areas and support evidence-based healthcare interventions.
Speaking on the long-term significance of this initiative, Mr. Nadda said that the Centre will contribute to improving healthcare services for tribal communities and Armed Forces personnel deployed in high-altitude areas. The research conducted will help in developing appropriate preventive and promotive health strategies , which will help address the specific medical challenges associated with extreme environmental conditions and strengthen healthcare services in the Himalayan region. Mr. Nadda also appreciated the role of ICMR in the development of the COVID -19 vaccine , which helped fight the pandemic not only in the country but also in other countries across the world.
Minister of State for Defence Shri Sanjay Seth , who was present as the Chief Guest on the occasion , thanked the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Armed Forces Medical Council for the support they provided in setting up the High Altitude Health Research Centre at Keylong.
TSA highlighted the importance of collaboration between the services. Citing the Armed Forces’ experience operating in high-altitude environments, he expressed confidence that this joint research initiative will help deepen the scientific understanding of the health challenges associated with high altitudes and contribute to the development of effective medical solutions.
Minister of State Shri Seth emphasized the importance of combining the scientific research capabilities of ICMR and the practical experience of the Armed Forces Medical Services to address the health challenges posed by high altitude areas. The research being conducted at the Centre is expected to help better understand the effects of high altitude on the human body , with potential benefits to personnel serving in challenging environments as well as to local communities living in the high altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh.
Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and former Chief Minister, Shri Jai Ram Thakur, said that the establishment of the ICMR High Altitude Health Research Centre in Keylong is an important step towards understanding the unique health challenges faced by people living in high altitude areas. He said that research on the effects of extreme cold , low oxygen levels and difficult geographical conditions will help develop better healthcare solutions , which will benefit not only the people of Himachal Pradesh but also high-altitude communities in India and around the world.
Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut said that improved connectivity has transformed life in remote areas of Himachal Pradesh , which were once isolated for months due to difficult geographical conditions. She said that the establishment of the ICMR High Altitude Health Research Centre in the hills of Keylong is a historic step that will promote scientific research , develop a better understanding of health challenges in high altitude areas, and contribute to the well-being of the people of Himachal Pradesh and humanity as a whole.
Dr. Rajeev Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR, underscored the Center’s scientific approach, stating that Keylong will be a place where laboratory and community meet , where local people will be partners in research, and where the goal is not just to produce research papers but to improve health. He emphasized the significant contributions of the Armed Forces Medical Services , the Himachal Pradesh Government, and the local community to the ICMR Center .
Speaking on the significance of the research, Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja , DGFMS, said that the research conducted at the Centre will directly strengthen medical care for troops deployed in some of the most inaccessible high-altitude areas in the world. The combination of the AFMS’s on-the-ground experience and the ICMR’s scientific expertise will help translate research findings into practical protocols for adaptation , early diagnosis, and treatment. The knowledge gained at Keylong will benefit not only Armed Forces personnel but also the local communities living in these challenging environments.
Shri Ravi Thakur, former MLA of Lahaul and Spiti, expressed confidence that the research conducted in Keylong will pave the way for better healthcare and preventive measures for the communities in these neighbouring Himalayan regions.
On this occasion, Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda and other dignitaries planted Himalayan native saplings under the Green ICMR Campus initiative. Shri Nadda inaugurated a scientific exhibition for school students , launched the Centre’s website and institutional video, and released a commemorative postal special cover marking the significant milestones in the establishment of the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research in Keylong.
The function was attended by senior officers of the Armed Forces Medical Services and the Indian Air Force , scientists , Panchayati Raj representatives and local residents.
Built on the foundation of the ICMR field station established in Keylong nearly a decade ago , the center will be a permanent , year-round institution equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and specialized human resources. Its primary objective will be to gather evidence on the health impacts of high altitude , low oxygen levels , extreme cold, and changing climatic conditions. Collaboration between ICMR , the Armed Forces Medical Services, and other research institutions will be a key feature , bringing together expertise in biomedical research , public health , and high-altitude physiology. The center will conduct research relevant to the armed forces and local populations , focusing on altitude-related health risks , acclimatization , maternal and newborn health , child development and nutrition , and disease patterns in Himalayan communities. It will also study how emerging technologies, including drone-based drug delivery , digital health, and AI, can improve access to healthcare in remote and inaccessible areas. The evidence generated is expected to improve healthcare practices , strengthen preventive and diagnostic approaches for personnel deployed in high altitude areas, and support improved healthcare services for communities living in the Himalayan and border regions of India, including Himachal Pradesh , Ladakh , Jammu and Kashmir , Uttarakhand , Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.