Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 1: Persistent shortages of doctors, diagnostic facilities, medicines and healthcare personnel across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have once again come under focus, with a representation to the Union Health Ministry seeking immediate intervention to strengthen medical infrastructure from sub-district hospitals to primary healthcare centres across the Union Territory.
The representation calls for urgent strengthening of the Sub-District Hospital at Diglipur and a comprehensive review of healthcare services at all District Hospitals, Sub-District Hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Health and Wellness Centres across the Islands.
According to the representation, the Sub-District Hospital at Diglipur was created by upgrading the existing Community Health Centre following the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Port Blair on December 30, 2018. The hospital was upgraded to cater to the healthcare requirements of the growing population of North Andaman. However, it states that several essential medical facilities remain unavailable despite the upgradation.
The representation highlights an acute shortage of specialist doctors, general physicians, radiologists, healthcare professionals, medicines, laboratory equipment, diagnostic facilities and sanitation staff at the Diglipur hospital. It states that the absence of these services compels patients from Diglipur and surrounding areas to travel to G.B. Pant Hospital in Sri Vijaya Puram even for routine specialist consultations and diagnostic investigations.
According to the representation, these referrals impose financial hardship and inconvenience on patients while simultaneously increasing the burden on the Union Territory’s principal referral hospital.
The concerns are not limited to Diglipur. The representation states that similar shortages of doctors, medical personnel, medicines and diagnostic facilities exist at the District Hospitals in Mayabunder and Car Nicobar, as well as at several Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and Health and Wellness Centres across the Islands. It notes that these deficiencies have persisted for a prolonged period and require immediate attention.
To address the issues, the representation seeks a comprehensive review of healthcare infrastructure across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It urges the Union Health Ministry to fill vacant medical and paramedical posts, strengthen diagnostic and treatment facilities, ensure the regular availability of essential medicines, provide adequate laboratory equipment and supporting staff, and improve healthcare infrastructure to make quality medical services accessible across the Islands.
The representation has been submitted by Andaman and Nicobar Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda. Copies have also been forwarded to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Lieutenant Governor D.K. Joshi and Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar, seeking their intervention for the early resolution of healthcare issues affecting residents of the Islands.
