Arunachal: Indian Army Jawans Save Bhutanese Pilgrims Suffering from AMS in Bangajung

Itanagar, November 12, 2019:

Indian army jawans saved pilgrims from Tashigang district of Bhutan, were on a pilgrimage to Bangajung Gompa in Arunachal on November 9.

The Gompa is approximately 1 km away from the  Border Outpost (BOP) of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) outpost Bangajung. There is no village or government establishment within a 20 kilometres radius of the area, except SSB posts of Bangajung and Negortang.

Thus, it was cause for alarm when 5 of the pilgrims started suffering from Acute Mountain Sickness.

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Their condition was worsening by the minute and could have developed into more serious conditions like High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), both of which usually result in quick death, due to low oxygen in body for survival and water in brain and lungs.

The suffering pilgrims were rushed to the SSB BOP Bangajung. At that time, ASI/GD BN Kachari was commanding the post. Taking the gravity of the situation into account, he admitted the patients into the BOP Medical Inspection (MI) Room.

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Thereafter, they were administered lots of liquid, Diamox tablets, and oxygen. Later that night, more pilgrims started suffering from AMS and they too were provided medical care in the Post’s MI Room.

The patients remained admitted for the night and were discharged in the morning. At the time of departure, they expressed extreme gratitude for the help rendered by the 38 SSB Tawang personal serving in the frontier state, Arunachal.

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