A series of health camps across the Andaman Islands under the banner of Swasth Naari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA) brought communities together last week, with medical teams delivering preventive screenings, specialist consultations, and awareness sessions aimed at strengthening women’s health and family well-being.
At Rangat, the programme was held on September 17 at the Community Health Centre with active participation from local residents. The gathering drew representatives from the Panchayat Samiti, Gram Panchayat, frontline health workers, self-help groups, and villagers. Key activities included non-communicable disease (NCD) screening, anaemia testing, tuberculosis screening with Nikshay ID creation, dental consultations, Ayurveda and yoga sessions, and awareness talks on nutrition, menstrual hygiene, and maternal care. A live webcast accompanied the on-ground events, giving participants extended exposure to expert inputs. Around 75 women, adolescent girls, and community members directly benefitted from the interventions.
The Rangat camp also featured healthy recipe contests, AYUSH consultations, and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) card creation, making the initiative a blend of medical and community outreach. Doctors including Dr. Huma Quiser and Dr. Rajyalaxmi underscored the role of Ayurveda and Homeopathy in preventive health, placing traditional systems alongside modern screenings for a more holistic approach.
Further north at AAM Karmatang, Mayabunder, Dr. R.P. Hospital hosted a health camp under the same campaign. The session was led by Medical Officer in-charge Dr. Alice Bwa, with consultations provided across allopathic and homeopathic practices. Junior Resident Dr. Rekha Dhali handled allopathic consultations while Dr. Diviya Singh offered homeopathic care. A yoga demonstration by instructor Puja Kumari encouraged villagers to adopt simple postures as part of everyday wellness. Preventive health check-ups formed the backbone of the programme, with screenings for NCDs and TB facilitated by community health officers and district programme staff.
Meanwhile, at Manglutan, a Mini Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Camp was combined with the SNSPA drive at the Community Hall, conducted by the Union Territory Health Mission in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services and ANIIMS. The event highlighted early detection and treatment of diseases, with local panchayat representatives urging people to make use of free medical screenings.
Deputy Director (Family Welfare) Dr. H. M. Siddaraju and Nodal Officer Dr. Shiny Verghese introduced the objectives of SNSPA, stressing the importance of community-level NCD clinics. The camp hosted an impressive line-up of specialists, including gynaecologist Dr. Suman Lakra, paediatrician Dr. Sandeep Reddy Katkuri, ENT specialist Dr. Srilekha, ophthalmologist Dr. Pawan Kumar, and others, who delivered on-site consultations.
Adding to the educational aspect, Anganwadi workers organized a mini exhibition showcasing healthy recipes and food baskets, drawing attention to nutrition as a foundation of preventive health. Over 80 patients were treated during the camp, underscoring the growing demand for specialist access in semi-rural areas of the islands.
Together, the camps at Rangat, Mayabunder, and Manglutan not only provided essential health services but also served as awareness platforms for women’s health, lifestyle diseases, and the importance of integrated medical systems. By weaving modern healthcare with traditional practices, yoga, and nutrition awareness, the Swasth Naari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan has reinforced its objective of building healthier families through empowered women.
With hundreds of participants across three locations benefitting from screenings, consultations, and educational sessions, the initiative is gaining traction as a grassroots health movement in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
