PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun With an objective of providing integrated primary health services to the civilian population living in 108 border villages located within the districts of Pithoragarh, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi districts, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was inked between the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Uttarakhand government on Thursday in presence of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The MoU was signed between ITBP, headquarters northern frontier, Dehradun and the department of Medical Health and Family Welfare under the Swastha Seema Abhiyan. According to the agreement, the ITBP will provide qualified doctors, paramedical staff and its available MI rooms and telemedicine facilities. Regular visits to border villages will be made as per the schedule for providing health services to local people of these border villages. It will also maintain the health cards/records of the beneficiaries and ensure proper management of equipment, medicines and consumables. The State government will provide demographic data for the villages involved and provide necessary medical equipment at the initial stage. A steady supply of medicines and other supplies will be ensured every six months based on consumption. The State government will also be responsible for emergency evacuation, telecommunications support and the ownership and necessary replacement of equipment. Speaking on the occasion, CM Dhami said that the Swasth Seema Abhiyan is an effective initiative to improve the quality of life of citizens living in border areas. “It will not only strengthen healthcare facilities but also promote trust, security and stability in border villages. The State government is committed to the all-round development of border areas and this MoU is an important step in that direction,’’ he said. Informing about the status of the MoU previously inked with the government for supply of local products, the ITBP officials said that 25 per cent supplies commenced on trial basis from November 2024 and 100 per cent from March 2025. Under this arrangement, products such as live sheep/goats, live chicken, Himalayan trout, fresh milk and cheese are being procured through various cooperative institutions. The ITBP has so far procured meat and other products worth Rs 11.94 crores under the MoU. CM Dhami said that this initiative will prove to be a milestone in making border areas self-reliant, connecting local citizens with livelihoods and ensuring stability in areas related to national security.
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