Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray has called on the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to establish local tie-ups between private hospitals and the government under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The move aims to enable cashless treatment for residents within the Islands and reduce the number of patients referred to mainland hospitals for procedures that could be carried out locally.
In a communication to the Lieutenant Governor, the MP highlighted the limitations of advanced medical facilities at G.B. Pant Hospital, which necessitate referrals to empanelled mainland hospitals for various specialized treatments. Patients often require ophthalmic, cardiac, orthopedic, gynecological, urological, and neurological care, which is frequently unavailable on the Islands.
While AB-PMJAY covers treatment costs at empanelled hospitals, local residents incur significant additional expenses. These include airfare, accommodation, and incidental costs for both patients and their attendants. Such financial demands can be prohibitive, particularly for economically weaker sections, resulting in distress and hardship.
The MP noted that several private hospitals and diagnostic centres in Port Blair already possess the infrastructure and specialist support to handle many of these procedures. Facilities such as Apollo Hospitals, Ritika Diagnostic Centre, Arun Hospital, Amritha Health Care, Rohini Hospital, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Pillar Health Centre, Health 4U, and Maricar Hospital often operate with the support of visiting super-specialists from the mainland.
Ray suggested that the A&N Administration enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with capable private hospitals, enabling residents to access treatments under AB-PMJAY locally. He outlined multiple benefits of such partnerships, including timely access to care, reduced financial burden on patients, minimized government expenditure on referrals and transportation, and strengthened public-private collaboration in the healthcare sector.
The proposal was reportedly discussed during the District Planning Committee meeting held in Sri Vijaya Puram on October 7, 2025. Committee members, including representatives from the administration, unanimously recommended exploring collaborations between the Directorate of Health Services and private hospitals.
In addition to improving healthcare accessibility, the MP emphasized that local tie-ups would encourage private sector investment in hospital infrastructure and create employment opportunities for local youth, including graduates from ANIIMS and other institutions, who currently face limited professional options due to the small number of healthcare establishments in the Islands.
Implementing the initiative, according to Ray, would align with the broader goals of the Ayushman Bharat mission, promoting affordable, inclusive, and accessible healthcare for all residents of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is expected to mark a significant step toward reducing unnecessary travel and the associated financial and logistical challenges, while supporting the growth of local healthcare capabilities.
The MP’s communication underscores the growing need for localized healthcare solutions in the Islands, particularly for specialized treatments. By leveraging existing private hospital infrastructure and facilitating government partnerships, residents may increasingly benefit from on-island care without the added strain of mainland referrals.
As discussions progress, the proposal is likely to shape future strategies for healthcare delivery in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, demonstrating a model that balances public healthcare mandates with private sector capabilities. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of reducing systemic barriers to quality treatment while fostering economic and professional opportunities within the local healthcare ecosystem.
