The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Department of Health Research, is establishing its first dedicated centre for high-altitude medicine and public health research at Keylong in Lahaul & Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will lay the foundation stone on 12 October 2026. The new facility, called ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research (ICMR-CHAMP), aims to address unique health challenges faced by people living in India’s mountainous regions.
The Himalayan areas face distinct public health issues due to high altitude, extreme weather, difficult terrain, geographical isolation and changing climate patterns. These conditions create unusual patterns of disease, limit healthcare access, pose occupational health risks and complicate emergency response. The new centre will generate scientific evidence and develop tailored, scalable healthcare solutions suited to these challenging environments.
Key facts
- Location: Keylong, Lahaul & Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh
- Foundation stone laying: 12 October 2026
- Minister laying foundation stone: Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare
- Establishing body: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
- Key attendees: Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, ICMR Director General Rajiv Bahl, Armed Forces Medical Services Director General Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, and Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut
Research areas covered by the centre
ICMR-CHAMP will conduct research across multiple disciplines relevant to mountain and high-altitude populations. These include high-altitude physiology and how human bodies acclimatise to thin air, mountain-specific medical conditions, diseases linked to climate change, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease, mother and child health, nutrition, mental health, environmental and occupational health hazards, and disaster medicine.
The centre will also explore modern healthcare delivery methods suited to remote areas. This includes setting up digital health platforms, telemedicine systems that connect distant patients with doctors, drone-based delivery of medicines and medical supplies, and real-time systems to track and respond to disease outbreaks in remote populations.
Strategic importance and partnerships
Keylong’s location in a border region with significant tribal populations makes it ideal for sustained field studies. Researchers will be able to investigate how environmental conditions, climate changes and altitude affect health outcomes over long periods. The centre will support national priorities including tribal health improvement, disaster readiness, digital health innovation and building health systems that can withstand climate change.
ICMR-CHAMP will partner with the Armed Forces Medical Services, national research institutions and the Himachal Pradesh Government. These collaborations will enable translation of research findings into practical applications, exchange of knowledge between scientists, training and capacity building for medical professionals, and development of policies based on solid evidence. The initiative aligns with India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in health research and building inclusive, climate-resilient healthcare systems.
Ceremony details
The foundation stone laying will include traditional Bhumi Pujan (earth blessing ceremony), formal groundbreaking, and unveiling of the foundation stone. The event will feature planting of native Himalayan trees as part of the Green ICMR Campus Initiative. A scientific exhibition will be inaugurated, and the centre’s website and institutional video will be launched. The Union Health Minister will release a commemorative postal special cover marking the occasion.
What this means for you
If you live or work in Himalayan regions, this centre will eventually lead to better healthcare tailored to mountain conditions, improved access through telemedicine and drone delivery, better understanding of how altitude and climate affect your health, and improved disaster response capabilities. Healthcare workers in these areas may access training and research opportunities. The centre will also generate employment in research and healthcare sectors in Himachal Pradesh.
For medical students and researchers interested in public health, mountain medicine or climate-health issues, the centre will offer new research opportunities and career pathways in a strategically important region.