Mussoorie, May 31 -- At least 72 pilgrims have died during the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand this year, officials said on Friday, adding that 64 of these deaths were caused by various health-related complications while eight others died due to other factors. According to state government data, of the 64 deaths caused by health ailments: eight were reported in Gangotri,11 in Yamunotri, 30 in Kedarnath and 15 in Badrinath Dham. Of the eight other deaths during the annual pilgrimage, which began on April 30 this year, six were caused by a helicopter crash in Uttarkashi on May 8. Last year, 246 deaths were reported during the Char Dham Yatra. This includes 115 deaths in Kedarnath, 65 in Badrinath, 40 in Yaunotri, 16 in Gangotri, and 10 in Hemkund Sahib, state government data showed. Health secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar said, "This year so far, 64 pilgrims have died due to health ailments so far, which is ten less compared to the corresponding figures for the same period last year. This year, for the first time, postgraduate doctors have been made eligible to earn a District Residency Programme (DRP) certificate through service during the Char Dham Yatra. The services rendered during the Yatra will be recognised under clinical rotation or DRP, eliminating the need for a separate three-month training programme." He added, "The overall setup along yatra routes features 121 staff nurses, 26 pharmacists, 309 oxygen-equipped beds, 6 ICU beds, 13 departmental ambulances, 17 emergency ambulances, one blood bank and two blood storage units." Before the start of pilgrimage this year, state health secretary R Rajesh Kumar issued health advisories and SOPs in 12 languages for pilgrims embarking on the Char Dham Yatra. Officials said that 69 medical officers have been stationed along the route to manage any health issues. Specialist doctors have also been deployed and they are rotated every fortnight to reinforce the workforce. These include orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, general surgeons, physicians, and specialists deployed by the Government of India in key sectors such as Badrinath and Jyotirmath . " We have set up two health screening points at Hina and Barkot on the Gangotri and Yamunotri highway, respectively, and screening is done on a regular basis, especially of pilgrims above the age of 50. Those with a medical history of heart ailments such as pilgrims with stent implants are advised to not embark on the Yatra," said Uttarkashi chief medical officer BS Rawat. "Through screening centres, pilgrims are examined for blood pressure, sugar levels, oxygen levels, and other health parameters and additional MRPs equipped with doctors, trained medical staff, and health volunteers are continuously working for the well being of pilgrims during the yatra season", he added. The Hemkund Sahib gurdwara trust has also set up medical dispensaries at gurdwaras on the yatra route, said the trust's president NS Bindra....