Sri Vijaya Puram, August 18: Healthcare institutions must be prepared to respond effectively during disasters and emergencies, particularly in hazard-prone regions, making institutional readiness a critical public safety priority. With that objective, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), with technical support from the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has organised a two-day training programme titled “Strengthening Hospital Preparedness, Safety and Emergency Response: From Planning to Action” on August 17 and 18, 2026, at the Conference Hall of Tagore Government College of Education, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The programme was inaugurated on August 17 by Madhup Vyas, IAS, Executive Director, NIDM, Ministry of Home Affairs, in the presence of Sachin Shinde, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health), Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The initiative brings together healthcare professionals to strengthen their understanding of hospital emergency preparedness and disaster risk management through focused capacity-building sessions.
Addressing the participants, Vyas said hospital preparedness remains a vital component of disaster management, especially in the multi-hazard environment of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He outlined NIDM’s efforts to build resilience in the health sector by enhancing capacities in hospital preparedness, climate and health, public health emergencies, psychosocial care and mental health, and fire safety.
Emphasising the programme’s theme, “From Planning to Action,” Vyas stressed the importance of regularly testing hospital disaster management plans through mock drills, maintaining effective communication systems, ensuring continuity of essential healthcare services, and promoting inclusive preparedness measures that safeguard vulnerable communities during emergencies.
Speaking on the occasion, Health Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Shinde highlighted the need to strengthen the preparedness and response capabilities of hospitals and healthcare institutions to effectively manage disasters, emergencies and other critical situations. He underlined the importance of reinforcing institutional capacity to respond promptly when confronted with emergency scenarios.
ANIIMS Director Mukesh Tripathi thanked the participating doctors, faculty members and nursing officers for enrolling in the programme. He expressed confidence that the training would enable participants to contribute more effectively towards strengthening institutional preparedness while ensuring timely, coordinated and efficient delivery of healthcare services during emergencies.
The two-day programme is designed to enhance the knowledge and practical understanding of healthcare professionals in hospital emergency preparedness and disaster risk management, reinforcing coordinated institutional readiness for emergency situations across the healthcare sector.
