Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 4: The administration has set time-bound targets for strengthening critical healthcare services and medical education infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with Lt. Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma directing officials to operationalise key facilities at Garacharma District Hospital and address infrastructure and student welfare requirements at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS).
During inspections of both institutions on Friday, Dr. Dinesh Sharma reviewed ongoing construction, hospital services, student facilities and basic infrastructure, issuing specific directions on facilities that require strengthening or early completion.
At Garacharma District Hospital, Dr. Dinesh Sharma directed the hospital administration to make the ICU and Dialysis Unit functional within two months. The directions include operationalising an eight-ventilator ICU and a 10-bed dialysis unit within the stipulated period.
He also ordered further strengthening and upgrading of the ICU, USG Lab and Pathology Lab. After taking note of the crowd at the registration counter, he directed the hospital administration to streamline the registration process so that patients and the general public do not face inconvenience.
The Lt. Governor further directed officials to equip the new Operation Theatre with all necessary equipment and make it operational within one month. He also set a 15-month deadline for completing the 50-bed Critical Care Unit currently under construction.
During his inspection of ANIIMS at Corbyn’s Cove, Dr. Dinesh Sharma reviewed the newly constructed Academic Building and assessed available facilities and the progress of ongoing works. He directed officials to accelerate construction of Wings A, B and C of the Science Building.
He also stressed that construction works must maintain quality, follow stipulated timelines and ensure transparency while adhering strictly to prescribed rules and procedures.
The inspection at ANIIMS included an interaction with students, during which the Lt. Governor sought their concerns and suggestions. He subsequently inspected the Boys’ Hostel and Mess and directed that cleanliness and hygiene in the mess premises be maintained regularly and efficiently.
Addressing basic student facilities, Dr. Dinesh Sharma directed officials to repair the non-functional chimney and restore it to operation at the earliest. He also instructed that a DG Set of appropriate capacity be arranged through a transparent procurement process.
For student physical and mental well-being, he directed that the necessary equipment for a gymnasium be provided on the campus.
Water availability at the institute also came under review. Dr. Dinesh Sharma directed Public Works Department (APWD) officials to make suitable arrangements for a check dam or water storage tank to ensure an uninterrupted and adequate water supply.
The inspections brought together senior officials from the Health Department, ANIIMS, district administration, police security and APWD. Those present at both inspections included Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health) Dr. Sachin Shinde, Secretary (Health) Vandana Rao, Joint Secretary (Health) Gaurav Nilesh Nishikant, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman Purva Garg, Superintendent of Police (Security) Shweta K. Sugathan and Chief Engineer, APWD Prijit Rekh.
Director, ANIIMS Dr. Mukesh Tripathi was present during the inspection of the medical institute, while Director Dr. Prabir Kumar Palit accompanied the Lt. Governor during the Garacharma District Hospital inspection.
