The health department officials should ensure that a proper medical checkup of all pilgrims aged above 50 years and those found suffering from any ailment is conducted before they undertakes the ensuing Chardham Yatra. These orders were issued to by the Health Secretary, Bhupendra Kaur Olakh during a video conferencing of Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of Garhwal division on Thursday.
She also asked the CMOs to make arrangement for availability of life saving medicines, equipment and oxygen cylinders on the Yatra route.
Olakh said the health check up facility should be set up at Phata on Kedarnath bridle path, Soneprayag, Guptkashi and at Jankichati on Yamnotri yatra route. She said if on the medical checkup the pilgrims aged 50 years are found unfit then they should be requested not to undertake the Yatra. Similar request should be made to those suffering from ailments like heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma and diabetes.
The secretary also asked the medical officers to get prepared to meet any exigency and ensure that information flow is smooth and fast during such an event.
She also said that the food stalls and shops selling edibles should be checked regularly. The CMOs were also asked to ensure availability of ambulances during any emergency.
On their part the CMOs assured the Secretary that the deployment of doctors has been done along the Yatra route and medicines are available in required amounts. The Officiating Director General (DG) health services Dr Premlal and officers of food safety were present during the video conferencing.