The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on 11 October 2026 that Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda will lay the foundation stone for the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research (ICMR-CHAMP) in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, on 12 October 2026. This first-of-its-kind dedicated centre aims to improve healthcare and biomedical research for people living and working in the Himalayan region's challenging environments. The facility will focus on high-altitude physiology, climate-sensitive diseases, and the use of digital health tools like drones and telemedicine. The release does not say when the centre will be fully operational.
Key points
- Event: Foundation stone laying ceremony on 12 October 2026 in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh
- Purpose: First dedicated ICMR centre for high-altitude medicine and public health research
- Focus: Climate-resilient healthcare, mountain medicine, and disaster preparedness
- Tech: Integration of telemedicine, drone-enabled logistics, and digital health platforms
- Partners: Collaborations with Armed Forces Medical Services and the Himachal Pradesh Government
When it applies
- foundation stone laying ceremony of ICMR-CHAMP
Who it affects
- people living and working in high-altitude and climate-sensitive regions