NEW DELHHI: Here is How Government Launches Centralized IT Platform for Health Safety of Pilgrims-  In a significant move aimed at ensuring the health safety of pilgrims visiting the Himalayan holy sites, the Central and Uttarakhand governments have collaborated on a centralized technology platform linked to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

Pilgrim Monitoring System

Known as the Pilgrim Monitoring System, this initiative will assign an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID to all pilgrims visiting Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—the Chardham sites. This ID will allow digital access to pilgrims' health records, making them readily available to doctors in case of a health emergency. The system will also help identify health issues early so that proactive measures can be taken.

Challenges and Solutions

This year, the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, which started on May 10, has seen a significant increase in pilgrim numbers. However, there have been 29 reported deaths during the pilgrimage due to various health complications exacerbated by high altitudes and extreme cold.

Streamlining Healthcare

To streamline healthcare services during the pilgrimage, the Uttarakhand government has initiated a registration process that includes creating an ABHA ID for each pilgrim. Wearable IoT devices and GPS trackers will also be provided to pilgrims to monitor their health status closely.

Digital Health Records

The initiative aims to generate accurate and timely digital health records for all pilgrims. "The LEHS WISH programme, under the auspices of the Lords Education and Health Society (LEHS), is developing a centralized platform enabled by ABDM to achieve this goal," stated an official from the Uttarakhand government to the National Health Authority (NHA).

ABHA Implementation

The ABHA ID allows citizens to authenticate, access, and manage their health records digitally. It facilitates hospital and doctor appointments, reducing waiting times at healthcare facilities. The ABDM, being implemented by the NHA, aims to create a comprehensive digital health ecosystem across the country.

Current Status

As of last week, more than 967,000 pilgrims had undertaken the Char Dham pilgrimage, highlighting the scale and importance of this initiative in ensuring the health and safety of pilgrims.

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