Five critically ill patients, including three personnel of the Indian Army, have been airlifted from Ladakh to Chandigarh for advanced medical care, IAF said on Monday.
In a post on X, the Western Air Command (WAC) of Indian Air Force also said 143 lives have been saved through casualty evacuation operations in the Ladakh sector alone during 2026.The WAC shared details about the critical medical evacuation mission undertaken from Ladakh, despite challenging high-altitude terrain and inclement weather conditions.
“The Indian Air Force successfully undertook a critical Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) mission from Ladakh, airlifting five Dangerous Ill Listed (DIL) patients for advanced medical care at Chandigarh. The patients comprised three Indian Army personnel with one dependent and one Ladakhi civilian,” it posted.
The IAF also shared some images of the medical evacuation mission. “Despite the challenging high-altitude terrain and inclement climatic conditions, IAF C-17 and AN-32 aircraft ensured their swift, safe and timely evacuation.The mission underscores the IAF’s unwavering commitment to preserving life and providing hope in emergencies.
#IndianAirForce – Every Life Matters, Every Call Answered #143 lives have been saved through CASEVAC operations in the Ladakh Sector alone during 2026,” it added. A Dangerously Ill List (DIL) patient — a medical classification — refers to individuals whose condition is critical, unstable, and carries a high probability of imminent deterioration or death, according to the National Institutes of Health website.
Meanwhile, Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday approved a draft notification permitting all medical practitioners registered under the National Medical Register (NMR) to practice in the Union Territory without obtaining any additional approval or NOC.The move is aimed at addressing the region’s doctor shortage and strengthening healthcare services.
According to the government regulations, registration of a medical practitioner is mandatory with the respective state or UT Medical Council, where the practitioner intends to practice.But since, Ladakh does not have a medical or dental council of its own, Saxena directed to issue an order that would make a medical practitioners, registered under the NMR, eligible to practice in the UT.The LG has also directed to provide clarity to applicants and the general public in this regard, a Lok Bhavan spokesperson said.
He said the decision forms part of the administration’s ongoing ‘Deregulation 2.0’ reforms and is expected to substantially improve the availability of healthcare professionals, including medical officers and doctors, particularly in remote and underserved areas of Ladakh.Ladakh has been facing an acute shortage of doctors and specialists for several years, with many sanctioned posts remaining vacant.
Consequently, the healthcare system has had to rely heavily on contractual doctors, medical officers and specialists engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM), often affecting the availability of specialised medical services in far-flung areas.
Follow us
