JP Nadda lays foundation stone for high-altitude medical research center in Keylong

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Centre to study high-altitude health risks and improve healthcare access

Manali:Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday laid the foundation stone for an ICMR Center for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research in Keylong, Lahaul-Spiti, to study health risks linked to extreme cold, low oxygen levels, and harsh living conditions in Himalayan regions.

The center will bring together the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and AIIMS Bilaspur to develop evidence-based healthcare solutions for soldiers deployed at high altitudes and communities living in remote Himalayan areas.

Addressing the ceremony, Nadda said specialized research was essential to understand the health challenges posed by high-altitude environments and strengthen preventive healthcare. He said the center would help improve health outcomes for tribal communities and Armed Forces personnel working in difficult climatic conditions.

Union Minister of State for Defense Sanjay Seth said the collaboration between ICMR and AFMS would combine scientific expertise with the Armed Forces’ experience in high-altitude operations to develop effective medical interventions.

The center will research altitude-related illnesses, acclimatization, maternal and newborn health, child growth, nutrition and disease patterns among Himalayan communities. It will also explore drone-enabled medicine delivery, digital health services, and artificial intelligence to improve access to healthcare in remote, hard-to-reach areas.

ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl said the center would connect laboratory research with local communities, ensuring that studies contribute to better health outcomes. Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services, said the findings could help improve protocols for acclimatization, early diagnosis and treatment of altitude-related conditions.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut also welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to improve healthcare for people living in high-altitude regions.

The center builds on an ICMR field station established in Keylong nearly a decade ago. It is planned as a permanent, year-round research institution with specialized laboratories and trained personnel. Its findings are expected to benefit Himalayan and border communities in Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

During the event, Nadda also inaugurated a scientific exhibition for school students, launched the centre’s website and institutional video, released a commemorative postal cover and participated in a tree-planting initiative.