In a significant development aimed at enhancing the health and safety of Chardham Yatra pilgrims, the Uttarakhand Government’s Department of Health and Family Welfare has launched the eSwasthya Dham portal. This portal, available at https://eswasthyadham.uk.gov.in/, is now integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The integration facilitates the creation of Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) for pilgrims, streamlining their healthcare experience during the pilgrimage.
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, launched in September 2021, aims to create an integrated digital health infrastructure across India. By linking the eSwasthya Dham portal with ABDM, pilgrims can now generate their unique 14-digit ABHA number in just 1-2 minutes. This initiative prioritizes the health and safety of the increasing number of pilgrims, particularly senior citizens, who undertake the Chardham Yatra to the high-altitude shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
The eSwasthya Dham portal offers numerous benefits to the pilgrims. The creation of an ABHA number is a crucial feature, as it establishes a reliable digital identity for devotees, enabling the management of their health records. This digital health record system ensures that immediate medical intervention can be provided during emergencies. Given the challenging conditions at high altitudes, such as cold weather, low oxygen levels, and the prevalence of health issues like heart diseases, hypertension, respiratory diseases, and diabetes, the portal plays a vital role in monitoring and maintaining the health of pilgrims.
With over 65 crore ABHA numbers already generated nationwide, the benefits of this digital health initiative are becoming increasingly apparent. ABHA allows citizens to store and manage their health records securely and share them with doctors anywhere and anytime with their consent. This feature not only facilitates seamless access to healthcare but also helps avoid long queues at healthcare facilities, making doctor appointments more efficient.
Pilgrims can access the eSwasthya Dham portal to generate their ABHA number and learn more about the guidelines for the Yatra. Additionally, a dedicated helpline number, 104, has been set up to assist pilgrims with any queries or issues they may encounter.
For more information and to utilize the benefits of the eSwasthya Dham portal, visit https://eswasthyadham.uk.gov.in/login.