Drawn by the passion of the Founders to make quality healthcare accessible for all in India, ALVL Foundation’s intent is to transform primary healthcare for the masses, working closely with the public health system, in line with Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) initiative.
HWCs were envisioned in the National Health Policy 2017 for delivering Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) and then in the Union Budget 2018, the Government announced creation of 1.5 lakh HWCs by 2022, as one of the pillars of Ayushman Bharat. In the announcement, participation from the private sector (NGOs, philanthropic institutions and CSR activities) to partner with these centres was also sought.
ALVL Foundation has signed two MOUs with the Government of Uttarakhand to work as partners in 10 HWCs in Almora District. The aim is to develop these existing primary health facilities as demonstration models of ‘Smart HWCs’ to deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care, leveraging digital technologies. The model can then be replicated across the country to ensure the full complement of services is delivered by all the 1.5 lakh HWCs.
Key Priority Areas for Intervention:
Reached 70+ HWC staff and 200+ community health workers
“World’s Highest Altitude Hyperbaric Treatment Centre” at 10000 ft-
”Siachen Glacier, located at an altitude of about 18,000 ft, is the world’s highest battlefield and holds significant importance for India, taking care of its Northern Borders. The Indian Army took control of Siachen in 1984 and since then our soldiers are deployed in the glacier defying the challenges of isolation from civilisation, sub-zero temperatures, avalanches and blizzards. The temperature in Siachen can even drop to minus 70 degrees Celsius in peak winters. Also, the oxygen level at such altitude is as low as 10% of that at sea level. Limb- and Life-threatening conditions due to Hypoxia, i.e., low oxygen content in the air, and Hypothermia, i.e., extremely cold temperatures, are commonly encountered in the Glacier.
As the only hospital in such a remote and extreme location, the 403 Field Hospital (popularly known as Siachen Hospital) serves not only the troops deployed at Siachen, but also the local civilians, tourists and ex-servicemen. To better equip the hospital in treating limb- and life-threatening conditions due to Hypoxia and Hypothermia, ALVL Foundation has set-up a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Centre and a Digital Radiology Centre at the Hospital.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chambers are specialized equipment used for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which is the medical use of oxygen at an ambient pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is used to speed up healing of tissues that are starved for oxygen. Timely use of HBOT in high altitude and cold related injuries and conditions can be ‘limb and life saving’.
