Guidelines for Doctors/ Medical Institutions authorized to issue Compulsory Health Certificates (Yatra – 2017).

 

INTRODUCTORY

 

The Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji is situated at an altitude of 13,500 feet above sea level atop South Kashmir Himalayas. The high altitude trek to the Holy Cave involves exposure to extreme cold, low humidity, increased ultraviolet radiations and reduced air pressure. The oxygen level in the air is very low due to which many Yatris face respiratory and other related medical problems. The

pilgrims have to trek a distance of 32 km from Chandanwari (Pahalgam Route) and 14 km from Baltal to reach the Holy Shrine.

 

Religious Practices/ Traditions: Another reason contributing to serious Medical Problem is the insistence of devotees to take an ice cold water bath in the morning and then commence their trek with an empty stomach.

 

Profile of Yatris: Very old men and women, adolescents and people already suffering from ailments are high risk prone to losing life during the Yatra which involves climbing in a high Altitude difficult area and sudden changes in weather conditions.

 

 

GUIDELINES FOR DOCTORS / INSTITUTIONS FOR ISSUING COMPULSORY HEALTH CERTIFICATE

 

1. Each applicant shall provide information to the Authorised Doctor/ Institution about his/her health status, past medical history and various ailment from he/she may be suffering or may have suffered as prescribed in part (A) of the Compulsory Health Certificate.

 

2. The Authorised Doctors/ Institutions shall issue the prescribed CompulsoryHealth Certificate [in part (B) of the format] after detailed examination of the applicant and necessary investigation/ test, if needed, and having satisfied himself / herself as to the fitness of the applicant to undertake

this arduous Yatra.

 

3. The Authorised Doctors/ Institutions shall not issue Compulsory Health Certificate to any applicant who is below the age of 13 years or above the age of 75 years and to pregnant lady with 6 weeks pregnancy.

 

4. For Yatra 2015, the Authorised Doctors/ Institutions shall issue the Compulsory Health Certificates only after 10 th February, 2015. The CHCs issued before 10 th February, 2015 would not be valid for the Registration purposes.

 

5. All the doctors/ Health Institutions authorised by the State Governments/ UTs shall appropriately evaluate the health conditions of the applicant and after careful examination/ investigation ensure that Compulsory Health certificate is issued to medically fit applicants only.

 

6. The authorised doctors shall maintain proper record of the issuance of CHC so that the database so generated could be analysed for bringing about further improvements in the health care facilities in the Yatra area and /or for making further changes in the format of CHC.

 

7. The Authorised Doctor shall mention his/ her MCI Registration Number in the Compulsory Health Certificate.