Pilgrim dies of cardiac arrest

Dehradun, May 1

Despite tall claims of the state authorities providing best of health services to the Char Dham pilgrims, an elderly pilgrim died of a cardiac arrest in the Yamunotri region of Uttarkashi district.

Victim M Sainath (72) from Andhra Pradesh had come with his family to pay obeisance at Yamunotri temple. He was staying at a hotel. On Monday night, Sainath complained of chest pain. He was rushed to a nearby Badkot hospital, where he was declared brought dead. His body was handed over to his family after necessary formalities.

Sainath’s death is the first health-related death of a pilgrim since the start of the Char Dham yatra. Sainath’s death comes even as the state government has been laying emphasis on strengthening medical facilities along the yatra routes this year.

Taking into account the past experiences when pilgrims had died due to health issues during the yatra since the concentration of oxygen decreases as one reaches higher altitude making pilgrims more vulnerable to breathing problems.

Last year, during the Char Dham yatra, over 100 pilgrims died due to health issues with cardiac arrest being the prominent reason. The authorities have already put in place a medical relief post, medical units, ambulance, blood bank, trauma centre along the yatra routes. — TNS