The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on 12 October 2026 that Union Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda laid the foundation stone for the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research at Keylong, Himachal Pradesh. This permanent facility will be a collaboration between the ICMR, Armed Forces Medical Services, and AIIMS Bilaspur to study the health impacts of low oxygen, extreme cold, and climatic changes. The research aims to benefit Armed Forces personnel and local communities in Himalayan and border regions, including Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The centre will also explore using artificial intelligence and drones for medicine delivery in remote areas. The release does not say when the centre will be fully operational.
Key points
- Focuses on health risks of low oxygen, extreme cold, and changing climates in Himalayan regions
- Collaborative effort between ICMR, Armed Forces Medical Services, and AIIMS Bilaspur
- Will research drone-enabled medicine delivery, digital health, and AI for remote access
- Benefits personnel and communities in HP, Ladakh, J&K, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh
- Will study maternal and newborn health, child growth, and nutrition in Himalayan communities
When it applies
- foundation stone laying ceremony of the ICMR Centre
Who it affects
- Armed Forces personnel and Himalayan communities