Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 4: Patients from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands referred for treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme will receive enhanced financial assistance and support under revised guidelines effective from 01 August 2026, Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray said at a press conference at his office on 03 September.
The changes include raising the scheme’s income ceiling from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh, allowing eligible beneficiaries to access cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh. The revised provisions also replace the earlier ship-fare arrangement for patients and attendants with economy-class air travel for the patient and one attendant, subject to reimbursement of up to ₹40,000.
Ray said he had raised issues concerning referral patients with the Lieutenant Governor on 21 October 2025, seeking better facilities and financial assistance. The matters were subsequently considered during discussions chaired by the Chief Secretary at a General Body meeting of the State Health Society.
The Secretary (Health), A&N Administration, confirmed the decisions in written communication to Ray dated 28 August 2026.
Under the revised provisions, wage-loss compensation of ₹1,000 a day for up to 20 days, previously available only to certain categories, has been extended to all patients referred under the scheme.
The Administration will also arrange and pay stretcher charges in advance without a prescribed ceiling, removing the requirement for patients to meet the expense themselves. Ambulance or cab charges for transportation from an airport or harbour will be reimbursed up to ₹3,000.
For seriously ill patients requiring evacuation by air ambulance, the Administration will bear the cost. The process of finalising arrangements through tie-ups with the concerned government agencies is currently underway.
The Administration has also moved forward with a proposal to install an MRI facility at GB Pant Hospital, which Ray said was at the final stage, with necessary steps already initiated.
Another measure involves earmarking ₹30 crore to maintain uninterrupted medicine availability through a continuous supply chain. The stated objective is to prevent patients from facing shortages that could require them to purchase medicines from private medical shops.
Ray expressed gratitude to the Government of India and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for the measures. He said the revised provisions would provide relief to patients and attendants, particularly those requiring treatment outside the islands, and strengthen support for referred beneficiaries under the scheme.
