Sri Vijaya Puram, July 11: A new batch of paramedical courses was launched in Sri Vijaya Puram on Friday with the objective of training local healthcare professionals to meet the growing demand for skilled medical support staff in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Institute of Paramedical Science (TIPMS), in collaboration with Apollo Clinic, formally inaugurated its paramedical programmes during a ceremony held at its campus on CIARI Road, Bhatu Basti. The initiative aims to create a trained local workforce capable of supporting the expanding healthcare sector in the islands.
Dr. Avijit Roy, Deputy Director (Health), Directorate of Health Services, attended the inaugural programme as the chief guest.
The launch comes at a time when healthcare institutions in the islands are witnessing increasing demand for trained paramedical personnel with the establishment of new hospitals and expansion of healthcare infrastructure. Speakers at the event said the growing number of hospital beds has increased the requirement for skilled technicians and allied healthcare professionals.
They noted that depending on manpower from the mainland is becoming increasingly difficult as healthcare institutions across the country are also facing shortages of trained personnel. Building a locally trained workforce was identified as the most sustainable long-term solution to address the increasing demand for healthcare services in the islands.
During the programme, speakers also referred to the challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the islands faced an acute shortage of paramedical staff. They said the crisis highlighted the need to strengthen local healthcare capacity and prompted efforts by both government and private institutions to introduce specialised paramedical education.
The programme also highlighted changing demographic trends in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to the speakers, the declining fertility rate has contributed to a gradual increase in the elderly population, while many young residents continue to move to the mainland for higher education and employment. As a result, the demand for trained caregivers and allied healthcare professionals is expected to increase in the coming years.
The newly established institute is expected to provide professional education and skill-based training to local youth, enabling them to pursue careers in the healthcare sector while reducing dependence on professionals from outside the islands.
The initiative is also expected to support healthcare institutions by creating a steady pool of trained paramedical personnel and strengthening the delivery of medical services across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through locally developed human resources.
